A
team-based golf event inspired by cricket's Indian Premier League and
starring a host of major winners tees off on Friday, with organisers
hoping the "snappy" format will attract new fans to the sport.
British Open winner Darren Clarke and two-time major champion Angel Cabrera, are among those taking part in the Golf Premier League franchise at the Aamby Valley golf course near the western Indian city of Pune over three days.
The televised $400,000 floodlit tournament will feature eight teams of four players battling it out over three stroke play rounds of 14 holes, rather than the four rounds of 18 holes seen in most tour events.
Each team will comprise two players who have made a mark at international level, an Asian Tour star and an upcoming player, all selected at an auction held in Mumbai last month.
Cabrera was snapped up for $55,000 by the Maharashtra 59'ers, who also have tournament organiser and Indian professional Shiv Kapur on their side.
Northern Irishman Clarke fetched $55,000 and will play for Uttarakhand Lions, a team co-owned by India's Test spinner Harbhajan Singh.
The Colombo 6's, the lone foreign franchise in the league, are being promoted by Sri Lanka's cricket captain Mahela Jayawardene.
Thai star Thaworn Wiratchant will play for Punjab Lancers while fellow Asian Tour professional Chapchai Nirat will turn out for Uttarakhand Lions.
Organisers are hoping the event will match the resounding success of cricket's Indian Premier League.
British Open winner Darren Clarke and two-time major champion Angel Cabrera, are among those taking part in the Golf Premier League franchise at the Aamby Valley golf course near the western Indian city of Pune over three days.
The televised $400,000 floodlit tournament will feature eight teams of four players battling it out over three stroke play rounds of 14 holes, rather than the four rounds of 18 holes seen in most tour events.
Each team will comprise two players who have made a mark at international level, an Asian Tour star and an upcoming player, all selected at an auction held in Mumbai last month.
Cabrera was snapped up for $55,000 by the Maharashtra 59'ers, who also have tournament organiser and Indian professional Shiv Kapur on their side.
Northern Irishman Clarke fetched $55,000 and will play for Uttarakhand Lions, a team co-owned by India's Test spinner Harbhajan Singh.
The Colombo 6's, the lone foreign franchise in the league, are being promoted by Sri Lanka's cricket captain Mahela Jayawardene.
Thai star Thaworn Wiratchant will play for Punjab Lancers while fellow Asian Tour professional Chapchai Nirat will turn out for Uttarakhand Lions.
Organisers are hoping the event will match the resounding success of cricket's Indian Premier League.
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