New Delhi, August 20 (TNA) The Indian Golf Union (IGU) has entered into a collaboration with Golf New Zealand aimed at strengthening the country's golf development and high-performance ecosystem, the IGU announced on Thursday. As part of the initiative, the IGU recently hosted Gregg Thorpe, General Manager of High-Performance and Talent Development at Golf New Zealand, on a six-day visit to India.
During his stay, Thorpe toured leading golf clubs and training facilities across the National Capital Region of Delhi, as well as the National Golf Academy of India (NGAI) in Chandigarh. He also held interactions with coaches, players, sports professionals and club managers as part of the visit.
Speaking about the collaboration, Thorpe said the partnership had been facilitated by the R&A, golf's international governing body, which brought the IGU and Golf New Zealand together. Making his first visit to India, he said he had been struck by the quality of people and facilities he encountered during the trip, describing the country's golfing infrastructure as outstanding.
Thorpe added that he saw a genuine opportunity to build something significant for the IGU, stressing the need to put in place a clear strategy and structural framework. He said such a system could not only inspire the next generation of young Indian golfers but also help the sport build towards a strong showing at the Olympics, should India succeed in its bid to host the Games in 2036.
The partnership is expected to pave the way for further exchange of expertise between the two golfing bodies as India looks to expand its high-performance pathway in the sport.