The PGA of India conducted a three-day workshop at the To The Tee Academy in Bangalore
The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of India, which was sidelined in the role of the anchor body for teaching professionals by the Indian Golf Union around twenty years ago , has made the bold announcement to try and reclaim its position in Indian golf by announcing a much needed teaching and learning centre for Indian coaches at To The Tee golf academy in Bangalore.
Founded in 1988, the PGA of India, which ran the PGA of India pro tour till the formation of the PGTI in 2005, kicked off the initiative by hosting a three-day workshop at the To The Tee Academy in Bangalore, unveiling the first-of-its-kind *PGA of India Centre of Excellence*.
This new facility is aiming to become a hub for teaching and learning, aiming to raise the standard of golf coaching in India – a much needed and welcome facility.
The workshop featured a series of seminars covering key aspects of golf facility management and coaching development. Krishna Prasad led an in-depth session on Clubfitting and Retail Shop Management, while the experienced Declan McCollam, a PGA Golf Professional with credentials from Australia, Great Britain, and Ireland, provided valuable insights on the global impact of the PGA’s initiatives. Prosenjit Bhattacharjee an IGU certified Referee, conducted a Rules of Golf refresher, ensuring coaches stay up-to-date with the latest changes.
Continuing education programs are crucial for both current and aspiring golf coaches in India, offering them the tools and knowledge to elevate their skills and, ultimately, the quality of the sport across the country. With a focus on holistic career development, the PGA of India hopes for a brighter future in golf education in India.
It remains to be seen whether the Indian Golf Union, which launched the National Golf Academy of India ( NGAI) in 2005 and has focused mostly on classifying coaches in A,B,C & D categories, will cooperate with PGA of India or try to compete with it.
It’s the opinion of India Golf Weekly that with so few resources available to Indian golf, anyone aiming to help the development of the game should be encouraged and various national bodies should cooperate rather than compete with each other.
Time will tell and IGW will keep our readers informed as things develop.