Bhullar named best pro at India Golf Awards

Ace golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar has won the best pro award at the Take Solutions India Golf Awards held recently at a city hotel in Gurgaon.

Apart from Bhullar, in-form Anirban Lahiri won the Audi People's Choice award, while the global recognition awards went to Shiv Kapur and Arjun Atwal, who is the first Indian to win on the PGA Tour in the United States.

"It's high time in Indian golf. I would like to thank golfingindian.com. It's a great initiative by them," Bhullar said after winning the award.

Apart from honouring the pros, the India Golf Awards also recognised the efforts of corporate India is keeping the sport on the ball.

A special award was given to Pawan Munjal of Hero for outstanding contribution by a corporate. Having sponsored several leading players, Munjal also spoke about his vision for Indian golf.

"I am happy to see India Golf Awards recognise the best in the game. This country needs more golf courses to promote the game and I hope events likes these will add to the support golf needs," he said.

For the first time ever the Take Solutions India Golf Awards also recognised the contribution of veterans by giving awards to Champika Sayal and Vikramjit Singh.

In a special gesture the awards ceremony also recalled the pioneering efforts of players of yesteryears by giving the Lifetime Achievement awards to Sita Rawley and Late Billoo Sethi.

With golf set to grow in India the contribution of www.golfindian.com, India's only news portal, has received admiration from top players of the game.

Jeev Milkha Singh, one of India's best known names said: "I think the awards are a brilliant concept."

The chief guests for the evening were Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Image: Gaganjeet Bhullar

Photograph: Andrew Redington/Getty Images