FUELLED by a staggering economic growth, golf has been on the upswing in India – and it was put on the fast track when EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters made an impressive debut in the country in February 2008.

Promoted and organized by ‘golf in DUBAI, the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters, the first European Tour event ever to be played in India, marked an epochal moment for the country’s golf with a star-studded line-up, spearheaded by smooth-swinging machine Ernie Els, lining up for the honours.

The Indian flavour, in the end, proved too hot for the strong overseas contingent with SSP Chowrasia conjuring up a piece of magic to win the title at the historic Delhi Golf Club – and overnight becoming the poster boy of Indian golf.

The victory of Kolkata-based Chowrasia -- a sign of the times in an ever-changing world -- represented a new era for professional golf in the country which has produced champion players in Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal, Jyoti Randhawa and Shiv Kapoor.

The $2.5 million EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters -- now an integral part of the fabric and tradition of Indian golf -- have the potential to catalyse the process of preparing a new generation of home-grown players for the bigger tests ahead.

‘golf in DUBAI’s association with the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters is also a reflection on the deep-rooted bilateral ties between India and the UAE. If India is the fastest growing economy in the region, the UAE, on its part, has emerged a regional trading and financial hub with global ambitions.

We, at golf in DUBAI, are grateful to the Indian Golf Union and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) for extending all their support -- and expertise – in putting together the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters – and making it a great success.

Partners like EMAAR-MGF as the Main Sponsor, Co-Sponsor CNN International, and OMEGA as the ‘Official Timekeeper’ have extended their full-fledged support to the event for a period of three years through 2010.

EMAAR-MGF is working towards making a significant difference to Indian lifestyle through world-class developments. It is their vision to change the way modern India lives, and towards this goal they have brought into the country, the largest ever FDI in the Indian real estate sector.

The company is committed to providing Indian golfers with “golf courses” at par with global standards and has plans to build golf courses of international repute in India, with the first one – Boulder Hills -- coming up in Hyderabad followed by Punjab.

With EMAAR-MGF playing a defining role in making India a leading golfing destination, the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters is a step towards this commitment to foster encouragement and passion for this game.