Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Dhiraj Seth graces golf tournament as 11th Golf & Turf Summit concludes
Ranvir Singh
Pune: The 11th Edition of the Golf & Turf Summit concluded with an exciting 18-hole golf tournament, bringing together industry leaders, real estate developers, and senior government officials at the picturesque Oxford Golf Resort. This event not only highlighted competitive spirit but also fostered camaraderie and professional growth among participants, showcasing the strong connections within the golf and turf industry.
The ceremonial tee-off for the Summit was led by Lt. Gen. Dhiraj Seth (AVSM), the Chief of the Indian Army’s Southern Command and an avid golfer. He was joined by GIA President and Oxford Group Chairman Anirudha Seolekar, Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Kailash Shinde (IAS) and MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Dr SK Mukherjee.
Lt. Gen. Dhiraj Seth’s presence as the Chief Guest added a distinguished touch to the event, further elevating the significance of the tournament and reinforcing the ties between sports and leadership within the industry.
Alongside the tournament, a specialized workshop for Greens Section members took place, featuring esteemed experts in turf management and agronomy. Attendees from golf courses and driving ranges across India benefited from valuable insights and practical knowledge on a variety of topics essential to turf care and maintenance, enhancing their skills and expertise in the field.
Renowned agronomist Brad Revill of BRT Agronomy joined the workshop digitally and addressed the attendees.
The day began with an insightful panel discussion on ‘Enhance Sustainability Practices on the Golf Course’ moderated by Hyderabad Golf Association superintendent Prateek Shah. The discussion was graced by esteemed panellists like Andrew Harvey Johnston (GM, Sentosa Golf Club), Gareth Knight (Senior Sales Manager – Indian Sub Continent, The Toro Company), Clinton Southorn (Director of Construction & Agronomy, Troon International) and Dr R P Singh (Golf Course Superintendent, The Bombay Presidency Golf Course).
The session was followed by an engaging workshop on ‘50 Years of Tips, Tricks, and Lessons Learned’ by Bruce Williams (International T&O Manager, BRANDT). ‘Factors Affecting Nutrients Absorption for Turf’ was another research-based session curated by well-known Indian agronomist P N Nagabhushan of Irrigation Products International.
The Greens Section summit concluded with an exclusive interaction of golf club owners on the topic ‘Financial Sustainability in Golf Club Management: Maximizing Revenue Streams and Controlling Costs.’
The dual events showcased a commitment to advancing the standards of golf and turf management in India, fostering a collaborative environment for learning and networking among industry professionals. Participants engaged in vibrant discussions and hands-on sessions, reinforcing the summit’s role as a vital platform for knowledge exchange.