Dhaka, Jan 23 (IANS) The Aircel-Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) begins its 2010 season with the American Express Bangladesh Open which will be staged in association with the Bangladesh Golf Federation at the Kurmitola Golf Club here Jan 25-28.
The Pro-Am is scheduled for January 24 and the tournament carries a total prize purse of Rs. 20 lakh.

The field will feature some of the top professionals of the South Asian region. The Bangladeshi challenge will be led by Mohd. Siddikur Rahman (three-time winner on the Aircel-PGTI tour) and Mohd. Shahid Khan.

The impressive line-up also includes Shamim Khan, Vijay Kumar, Rahil Gangjee, Digvijay Singh, Harendra Gupta, Kunal Bhasin and Vishal Singh, to name a few.

Brig. Gen Shafiquzzaman (Retd), Secretary General, Bangladesh Golf Federation, said: “We are very happy to see PGTI return to Bangladesh and City Bank coming forward to sponsor the tournament. We are even more delighted to see American Express associate itself with this tournament.”

Sohail R.K. Hussain, acting managing director of Bangladesh’s City Bank, said: “Golf is one of the lifestyle activities greatly enjoyed by American Express card members around the world and here in Bangladesh. Through the sponsorship of this tournament, we look forward to deepening our relationship with our Cardmembers and reaching out to the many golfers in Bangladesh.”

Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI said there is tremendous talent in Bangaldesh.

“We are happy to be back with the Bangladesh Open, and I thank American Express for their support. There is tremendous talent and potential in Bangladesh. We are confident that with the help of the Bangladesh Golf Federation, we will be able to develop Bangladesh Open into one of the marquee events on the Aircel-PGTI annual calendar,” he said.