Thaindian News

New Delhi, May 24 (IANS) Following the success of Golf Rules in Vietnam, Cambodia and China, the Royal & Ancient (R&A;), which governs the sport throughout the world barring United States and Mexico, is planning to take the programme to India by the second half of this year.

The step will be followed by more Rules Schools in January and February next year.

The R&A;, which always partners the local amateur body, will be doing so with the Indian Golf Union (IGU), and it sees India as one of the areas where the sport is expected to grow in a big way.

Among those conducting the Rules Schools in Vietnam were Alan Holmes, Chairman Rules of Committee, Kevin Barker, Assistant Director, Rules, and Dominic Wall, Director Asia-Pacific. The same officials are likely to visit India to extend the programme.

The programme is one of the highlights of the new three-tiered Rules Education Programme launched by the world body this year and has been taken to Asia for the first time.

In the first leg, the Rules School was held in Vietnam at Twin Doves Club, Cambodia and China.

The schools have been extremely well received with almost 50 attendees each in both Vietnam and Cambodia and China.

“We have been delighted with the turnout for each of the Rules schools so far. To have about 50 people at different levels in Vietnam, Cambodia and in China has been very pleasing indeed. We hope to achieve bigger numbers in India,” said Holmes.

“This is our first Tournament Administrators and Referees course in Asia under our new structure and the calibre of the attendees is extremely high. A number of students are working to enhance their qualifications for the golf industry and that is something that we are very happy to support.”

The IGU has entered into an agreement with the R&A; for certification of Rules officials in India.