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Tag: Golf

  • HSBC Golf League swings into Pune, Kapil Dev tees off a luxury finale

    HSBC Golf League swings into Pune, Kapil Dev tees off a luxury finale

    MUMBAI: HSBC India, in a collaboration with Thriwe, teed off the grand finale of its third golf league at Pune’s exclusive Oxford Golf Course, turning the greens into a playground for India’s high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) swingers.

    The event, a veritable who’s who of industry titans, was graced by none other than cricket legend Kapil Dev, who, in between ceremonial tee-offs, probably pondered the similarities between a well-timed cover drive and a perfect swing.

    Following regional rounds in Greater Noida, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, the Pune finale saw the crème de la crème of amateur golfers battling it out for a coveted prize: an all-expenses-paid jaunt to Singapore’s Tanjong Course, where they’ll rub shoulders with the pros at the HSBC Women’s World Championship. Think opulent Hexagon Suites and enough golfing action to make even the most seasoned player giddy.

    HSBC India head international wealth and personal banking Sandeep Batra waxed lyrical about the event, stating, “HSBC’s global ambition is to bring golf to more people across the world. We’re focused on helping to expand the game to the next generation of players and build the sport across markets. This prestigious event, a testament to our commitment to excellence and sportsmanship, has not only brought together the finest amateur golfers across India but has also provided a platform for our esteemed clients to engage in the sport they love. At HSBC India, we are honored to facilitate such a grand celebration of talent and look forward to continuing to foster the growth of golf in India.”

    Thriwe  founder & CEO Dhruv Verma added, “With each year passing we see more and more participation and this year was no different. We will continue to build this golf league, with HSBC India, as a property/IP to further encompass more features and member privileges. At Thriwe, we are also excited on using AI and building the entire model ahead.”

    The event, powered by Thriwe’s tech prowess, wasn’t just about swinging clubs; it was a tech-infused golfing extravaganza. The HSBC golf league mobile app allowed participants to track scores, network, and snag exclusive perks, from free golf cart bookings to discounts on accessories.

    In essence, HSBC and Thriwe have turned golfing into a luxury experience, blending sport with tech and a dash of celebrity sparkle. It’s a hole-in-one for networking and a par-fect day out for India’s elite.

  • CNN inks south Asian digital distribution deal with Rahul Sood’s Brandwidth Mediae

    CNN inks south Asian digital distribution deal with Rahul Sood’s Brandwidth Mediae

    MUMBAI: There’s life beyond employment. No one is proving this adage better than former NDTV senior exec Rahul Sood who spends his time working for select clients  and improving his golf handicap, when he can grab a few hours off from work. Which is pretty often.

    Recently, his firm Brandwidth Mediae of which he is co-founder and managing director signed on CNN International Commercial to handle its digital content distribution across six south Asian markets. 

    The agreement allows regional platforms to access CNN’s video-on-demand content, including flagship shows Fareed Zakaria GPS and Anderson Cooper 360, across the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Pakistan.

    “This collaboration will offer audiences greater access to world-class coverage at their convenience,” said Sood who also represents Al Jazeera, India Today Network, global streaming platforms like Hallmark Movies and Frammer AI on the tech side.

    “We are excited to work with CNN International Commercial to enhance their presence across the South Asian region by leveraging leading telcos and OTT platforms,” added co-founder & managing partner Rohit Jaiswal, 

    The partnership aims to expand CNN’s presence in South Asia through telecom and OTT platform partnerships.
     

  • Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge renews title sponsorship deal with Hero MotoCorp till 2030

    Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge renews title sponsorship deal with Hero MotoCorp till 2030

    MUMBAI: Veteran champion golfer Tiger Woods’ events production company TGR Live has found a hero. The world’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp has agreed to extend its title sponsorship of the Hero World Challenge, which is under the TGR Live umbrella. The PGA-sanctioned tournament will now remain at Albamy, Bahamas through the 2030 playing.  Additionally, the Indian two-wheeler firm has said yes to continuing with Woods as its global corporate partner.

    The tournament rounds will be held between 5 and 8 December and it will be televised on the Golf Channel during all its rounds and by NBC during the third and final rounds.

    The Hero World Challenge is the longest-running PGA Tour event managed by TGR Live. The event was started by Woods and his father Earl in January 2000 to raise funds for the TGR Foundation. Hero MotoCorp first title sponsored the tournament  in 2014 at Isleworth Golf & Country Club. In 2015, the tournament moved to Albany, Bahamas where it will be played for the ninth time in 2024.Under Hero’s title sponsorship, the tournament has grown from 18 players to 20.

    Right from its inception, Woods vision has always been to utilise the event to raise awareness, support and resources that make a positive impact in the lives of youth around the world. Proceeds from the 2024 Hero World Challenge benefit TGR Foundation, Tavistock Foundation and Bahamas Youth Foundation.

     

    Tiger Wood with Pawan Munjal

    “Hero MotoCorp has played a vital role in the tournament’s evolution, growth and success; and their commitment is felt by everyone who joins us at Albany,” said Woods “Through the years I have come to respect Pawan (Munjal, the executive chairman of Hero MotoCorp) as a visionary leader and more importantly a trusted friend. His progressive leadership has made a significant impact not only on the future of global mobility but also the game of golf.”

    On his part, Munjal said he was proud to extend the partnership with Woods as the money raised from it goes towards the foundation which helps bring in meaningful change in communities just like Hero Motocorp group pioneers transformative innovations in the automotive industry.

    “Over the past decade, I have witnessed firsthand his extraordinary impact – not only as one of the greatest athletes in history but also as a global ambassador of excellence and a beacon of inspiration for millions,” Munjal elaborated. “This enduring collaboration is more than a testament to shared values; it’s a commitment to redefining boundaries, driving innovation, and shaping a better world. Together, we remain resolute in our mission to create a meaningful and lasting legacy that transcends sports and inspires generations to come. Together with Tiger, we are committed to elevating the Hero World Challenge as a powerful platform for positive social impact and global inspiration.” 

    Scottie Scheffler won the Hero World Challenge in 2023 with his score being 20 under and his his margin of victory being three strokes. Runner-up was Sepp Straka.  

  • HSBC India, Thriwe launch second season of Golf League with exclusive discounts and benefits

    HSBC India, Thriwe launch second season of Golf League with exclusive discounts and benefits

    Mumbai:  HSBC India and Thriwe, a technology-driven consumer benefits marketplace have announced the launch of the second season of the league, which saw participation from 2500+ golfers and enthusiasts in the first edition.The second edition of HSBC Golf League will offer complimentary golf lessons, 15 per cent discounts on golf accessories and much more and will be held between January 2024 and March 2024. It will be available to HSBC India’s premier and global private banking customers.

    In this edition, pro golfers and enthusiasts will not only get access to a range of extraordinary golf privileges but can also enjoy exclusive offers and benefits. From complimentary golf games with a free golf cart, to complimentary golf lessons for players and their guests.

    “Our Golf League platform was a resounding success and helped users improve their performance through data and analytics. With the HSBC Golf League, we set out to reimagine the golf ecosystem with the help of technology. In the second season we are rewarding our users with exclusive benefits,” said Thriwe chief executive officer Dhruv Verma

    Commenting on the launch of the second season of the HSBC Golf League, HSBC India head of wealth and personal banking Sandeep Batra said, “After a tremendous success last year, we are pleased to extend our commitment in order to support and grow the game of golf in India through the second edition of HSBC Golf League. Our ambition is to promote the game of golf at all levels by inspiring future generations to take part in the sport. We are here to provide long-term and sustainable future for golf. We are also very thankful for the support of our partner.”

    Users can make real-time bookings for select golf courses and get instant confirmation, even if the booking is done on a weekday/ weekend or a public holiday. Any new bookings for a game or lesson will also be cleared in three days straight.

    Additionally, they can enjoy 15 per cent discounts on a wide range of accessories from renowned brands at select pro shops. Food and beverages (except alcoholic beverages) will be available at a 10 per cent discount at select golf courses. All these features will be available on the Golf League platform on the website as well as mobile applications.

    Golfing enthusiasts can use the mobile app to participate in marquee golfing events and tournaments throughout the year. They can also hone their golfing skills with 30 minutes of complimentary access before the matches. Launched last year in partnership with HSBC India for 200,000 amateur golfers, the league has evolved into a fan favourite among golf enthusiasts and high-net-worth individuals. Aside from being an intense sport, golf is an excellent networking opportunity for corporate and business leaders.

    While the league and the platform is managed and hosted by HSBC India, Thriwe is the technology enabler for the league. The company was founded in 2011 and is backed by YourNest venture capital. It offers a network of over 150,000 merchant partners spread across more than 130 countries. Customers can enable rewards programs for their end users from their choice of merchant partners.

    Recently, Thriwe launched a first-of-its-kind earn and burn engine that enables retailers and manufacturers across industries to allow their customers to consolidate their loyalty points across points of sales.

  • Sky Sports & Warner Bros. Discovery announce multi-year extension of live PGA Tour coverage

    Sky Sports & Warner Bros. Discovery announce multi-year extension of live PGA Tour coverage

    MUMBAI: Sky Sports announced that the deal to broadcast live PGA Tour events has been extended and the channel will now give golf fans the best in live action, according to a media news report.

    The report stated that Sky Sports will continue to show a minimum of 36 golf events per year as part of the agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery, the PGA Tour’s strategic partner. The agreement includes all PGA Tour FedExCup events, including the FedExCup Playoffs, Tour Championship, and Presidents Cup.

    “Sky Sports will broadcast PGA Tour events in a variety of ways, including Early Coverage, Marquee Group, Featured Holes, and Featured Groups. Sky Sports will also continue to provide the best TV coverage possible, bringing fans as close to the action as possible, including on-site with the Sky Cart, Sky Zone, and on-course commentary,” it said.

    Speaking on the expansion, Sky Sports managing director Jonathan Licht said, “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the PGA Tour. The extended deal cements Sky Sports’ place as the home of golf in the UK and Ireland and means our customers will be able to follow the key live-action on the Tour for years to come.”  

    PGA Tour chief media officer Rick Anderson said, “We are extremely pleased to continue our long partnership with Sky Sports in a key market, one that values golf at the highest level. Sky Sports’ localised production connects the best in professional golf, the PGA Tour, to our UK audience.’

    Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe president and managing director Andrew Georgiou said, “Sky has been a long-term partner to Discovery and now Warner Bros. Discovery for more than 30 years, helping to bring our channels and content to millions of people. Building on this relationship and extending PGA Tour coverage on Sky Sports is a clear winner for viewers in the UK and Ireland, particularly given the channel’s proven commitment to innovative golf broadcasting and excellent live coverage.”

    Sky Sports, once again in 2022, will show all four men’s majors and all five women’s majors, as well as a record amount of PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, and Ladies European Tour action – well over 100 tournaments in total. Golf fans can also follow the action around the clock on Sky Sports News and Sky Sports’ social and digital platforms.

  • ABP is digital media partner of Professional Golf Tour of India

    ABP is digital media partner of Professional Golf Tour of India

    Mumbai: ABP Network has announced its collaboration with Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) as the digital media partner for its golf tournaments to be held in 2021. With this move, ABP claims to have become the first Hindi news network to cover a golf tour in the country and broadcast it live on its digital platform – ABP Live and other social media platforms.   

    The partnership was launched in October with the coverage of the first leg of the 5 City, Tata Steel PGTI, MP Cup 2021 held in Delhi. Inaugurating the event, MOS for external affairs and culture Meenakshi Lekhi said, “Golf is perceived to be a sport of the elite, but it is played by people from all sections of society. It also provides economic support for many. It is great that ABP is streaming the tournament live and popularising the sport with the masses.” She presented the award and a cash prize of Rs 11, 31,550 to Viraj Madappa – winner of the Delhi leg.

    Live broadcast of the next leg of the tour that was held in Jaipur garnered more than two million views on ABP Live during the four-day coverage. The remaining three legs of the tournament to be held in Chandigarh (13 and 14 November), Kolkata (27 and 28 November) and Jamshedpur (18 and 19 December) will witness over 300 professional golf players, including Olympians and past winners for a chance to lift the Rs 1.5 crore title. 

    Commenting on the partnership with PGTI, ABP Network CEO Avinash Pandey remarked, “While Golf is rising as a sport in India, we at ABP believe that it should be made accessible to the masses of the country. ABP, with its widespread reach and popularity, strives to make this possible.”

    “Over the last few years, we have been aggressively looking towards ramping up our offerings in the sports segment like Kabbadi and Olympics, while not remaining restricted to cricket. This initiative of broadcasting golf is in line with the larger goal. It’s a prestigious moment for the network to associate with PGTI and facilitate a pan-Indian viewership for the tournament,” he added.

    PGTI is the internationally recognised controlling body for professional golf in India which is included in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system. 

  • DSPORT to Telecast Hero Women’s Indian Open Live from October 18th Prize Money of $ 500,000/- at Stake

    DSPORT to Telecast Hero Women’s Indian Open Live from October 18th Prize Money of $ 500,000/- at Stake

    MUMBAI: One of the most prestigious tournaments of the Ladies European Tour, the Hero Women’s Indian Open, will tee-off from 18th October, 2018. Golf fans across the country will be able to catch the live telecast of this exciting contest on DSPORT.

    The Hero Women’s Indian Open live broadcast will take place from 12:30 PM onwards on 18th & 19th October and 12:00 PM onwards on 20th & 21st October. The tournament will be broadcast live on DSPORT for Indian viewers, apart from European Tour’s platforms.

    A strong line-up of marquee golfers like Georgia Clarke, Thailands Kanyalak Preedasuttijit- Winner of Thailand Ladies Open, Celine Boutier- Winner of Australian Ladies Classic, Beth Allen- the 2016 LET Order of Merit (OOM) winner and Sophie Walker will vie for the top honors, among others, at this edition of the Hero Women’s Indian Open, 2018.

    Defending Champion, Camille Chevalier, will battle it out amongst the top golfers to retain the trophy for the second consecutive year. Vani Kapoor who finished T-6 in the 11th edition of the Hero Women’s Indian Open, the best finish by an Indian, will lead India from the front amongst the likes of other Indian golfers such as Amandeep Drall, Tvesa Malik and Gursimar Badwal.

    Since the inaugural Hero Women’s Indian Open in the year 2007, the contest has become very popular with players and spectators alike. All the golfers will be fighting for a price pool of $5, 00, 000 (INR 3.7Cr Approx.) which is by far the highest prize money ever in any of the previous editions. Interestingly, this is the first time when the event will be played over 72 holes.

    DSPORT is available on all DTH platforms (Tata Sky Channel #495, Airtel DTH Channel #304, Dish TV Channel #630).

    The Hero Women’s Indian Open is hosted at the picturesque DLF Golf& Country Club, Gurgaon and has been evolving to become bigger and better with each edition.

  • DSport to telecast ‘Hero Challenge’ live for the first time in India

    DSport to telecast ‘Hero Challenge’ live for the first time in India

    MUMBAI: The 2018 edition of night golf contest Hero Challenge will, for the first-time, be telecast live in India on DSport. It will take place from 12 am to 10 am on 11 July. Apart from DSport, the contest will be available on European Tour’s platforms.

    A strong line-up of marquee golfers such as Rafa Cabrera Bello, Andrew Johnston, and India’s rising star Shubhankar Sharma, amongst others, will vie for the top honours at the Hero Challenge at this year’s Scottish Open.

    Since the inaugural Hero Challenge was hosted at the British Masters in 2016, the contest has become very popular with players and spectators alike. After the successful debut for the night-golf event, Hero MotoCorp – the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters – reaffirmed its commitment to innovation at the European Tour by extending the Hero Challenge by another three years and to three marquee events – the British Masters, Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open and DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

    DSport is available on all DTH platforms (Tata Sky Channel #495, Airtel DTH Channel #304, Dish TV Channel #630).

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  • DSport acquires PGA Championship’s long-term telecast rights

    MUMBAI: DSport, a premium sports TV channel by Discovery Communications India, has acquired long term India broadcast rights of the PGA Championships, Golf’s fourth and year-ending Major.

    The 99th PGA Championships is set to be held at the Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina, which will host a Golf Major for the very first time, between 10 and 13 August, 2017. The club holds an annual event on the PGA Tour, the Wells Fargo Championship, besides having hosted several pro-events.

    A total of 156 golfers, including India’s Anirban Lahiri are set to tee-off at Quail Hollow on Thursday, August 10 as they look to make the weekend cut. Anirban Lahiri, registered his best ever finish (5th) at a Major, which is also incidentally the best ever finish by an Indian at a Major, at these Championships, when it was played at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, back in 2015.

    The Live and Exclusive broadcast will be in two phases across the four days of The Open.

    Exclusive Telecast Timings (IST):
    August 10: 10:30 PM – 11:59 PM (Day 1)
    August 11: 12:00 AM – 4:15 PM (Day 1) & 10:30 PM– 11:59 PM (Day 2)
    August 12: 12:00 AM – 4:15 PM (Day 2) & 11:30 PM – 11:59 PM (Day 3)
    August 13: 12:00 AM – 4:15 PM (Day 3) & 11:30 PM – 11:59 PM (Day 4)
    August 14: 12:00 AM – 4:15 PM (Day 4)

  • Freaky Ali….A slapstick, forced comedy

    Freaky Ali….A slapstick, forced comedy

    We have had some sports films which dealt with the theme of an underdog making it to the victory podium after a lot of struggle and toil besides, of course, the glory and honour of the nation. However, the sport has been the one which our people identify with.

    Freaky Ali is a love sports story. The sport is golf, a sport purely the domain of the rich. It is also about an underdog but not of the usual kind. In fact, he is a kind of character one would not even expect to see anywhere near a golf course.

    Golf is a sport alien to most common people anywhere in the world as it is in India. But, when a film about an independent sport like this is inspired by a Hollywood film, the sport can’t be changed from golf to cricket, a team sport.

    Nawazuddin is a debt collector along with Arbaaz Khan. Nikitin Dheer is their boss. This, Nawaz thinks, is the way to make a fast buck. The duo works for the kind the ‘finance institutions’ that existed not long ago in India to recover monies lent to retail borrowers who were not readily forthcoming with repayments.

    Earlier, in the movie, Nawaz had tried his hand at selling undergarments. But, when it came to the girl he loved the most, his proposal was rejected because of his profession.

    Nawaz lands up on the golf course during one of his loan recovery rounds. Here his boast leads him to try the sport. And, as the film stories can fit in anything, Nawaz surprises all. His latent talent in noticed by a caddie, Asif Basra, who decides to help him hone his skills.

    Abracadabra. Nawaz is now a golf champion of international standards. He is soon doing the professional circuit. He goes on a winning spree much to the discomfiture of his rival Jas Arora. Also, working against Nawaz’s interest is Nikitin, who wants him to lose at any cost.

    With success comes love — Amy Jackson.

    The film loses the battle when it borrows the idea of the sport of golf and an underdog. The comedy is forced instead of emanating naturally from the situations, and falls flat. Direction in the movie is weak to state the least and editing is slack.

    Dialogues in the movie are good at some places, especially the lines written for Nawaz. The cinematography is okay. The songs don’t entertain at all. The qawwali, Ya Ali Murtaza, is the only saving grace.

    Nawaz shines even in this mundane comedy. Arbaaz Khan manages with his limited acting skills. Asif Basra is okay. Amy has too little to do to make a mark. Jackie Shroff plays a cameo to no avail.

    Freaky Ali lacks appeal even for the growing breed of Nawaz fans.