Golf body launches team-based league

The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) on Thursday announced the launch of ‘72 The League’, India’s first Professional Golf League. The league will start on February 21 next year, with the finals scheduled to be held on March 6. The first edition of the league will feature six franchises, comprising 10 professional players, who will be picked by the team owners through a player auction that will be held sometime in January. The first season will take place across three of the Delhi NCR’s golf venues — Classic Golf & Country Club, Jaypee Greens and Qutab Golf Course. Veteran sports administrator Amrit Mathur will be the league’s commissioner.

Former Indian cricket captain and PGTI president Kapil Dev called the launch an important phase for the sport of golf in the country.

“With the launch of 72 The League, PGTI is turning over a new leaf for the growth of golf in India. For the first time, we have a structured, team-based national league sanctioned by PGTI that creates new opportunities for players,” Dev said at the launch. “This is as exciting for all of us as it is for the players, who are set to experience a thrilling new format. We would also like to welcome Game of Life Sports as our partners for this initiative and firmly believe that 72 The League is a powerful step forward for Indian golf,” he added.