Pune: Oxford Golf Resort to host Oxford Premier League from July 1
Pune, 30th May 2023: The Oxford Golf Resort has put together an ambitious initiative by providing a premier league kind of platform for the club golfers to test their swinging skills on India’s most picturesque golf course—the Oxford golf course.
The Shapoorji Pallonji presents Oxford Premier League (OPL) will see eight teams with 15 players each battling it out on two weekends—four days to be precise to become champion of this inaugural golf league.
In its inaugural season itself, the OPL has become one of the biggest golf leagues in India, proclaimed Aditya Malpani, of Ace Golfing, the organisers of the league.
To put together such a big event and get everything in place, including contacting golfers and their respective clubs, Ace Golfing began working on OPL well in advance.
After it received 270 registrations, the players were categorised in three classes, gold, silver, and bronze based on their individual handicap values. There were 32 players in Gold category, 132in Silver and 107 players in the Bronze category.
Bumper response in auction
Gold category player from Poona club, Sushant Khosla attracted the highest bid of Rs. 80 lakh with Roaring Tigers Nagpur taking the tab.
OGR player Aditya Pusalkar(gold category) was the second-highest grosser, picked up by AK’s Poona Lions for a price tag of Rs. 72 lakh. Following him was Rohan Pathak (gold category) who was picked up by Wings Warriors the third highest price tag tag of Rs. 58 lakh.
“The auction began with each team having certain notional money and they had to complete their team within the notional amount allocated,” informed Aditya Malpani of Ace Golfing.
The player’s auction was conducted on May 13.
The OPL will begin on July 1(Saturday) with July 2(Sunday) being the second day.
Playing days:
July 1 (Saturday)—day 1
July 2 (Sunday)—day 2
July 7 (Friday)—day 3
July 9 (Sunday)—final day
The league will finish July 9 (Sunday) with prize distribution and a gala party.
Earlier on Tuesday, Oxford Golf Resort conducted a tree plantation drive in its premises to coincide with the OPL Pro-Ambeing held at the course.
Speaking about the initiative, Anil Seolekar, Chairman of Oxford group said Oxford has always been a supporter of green initiative since many years.
“Oxford has been a pioneer in tree plantation over the years and is working on sustainability. “This year we have tied up with Isha Foundation for promoting the cause of green,” said Seolekar.
With 18 professional golfers set to compete in the OPL, the Oxford golf resort made most of the occasion on Tuesday—the day of OPL Pro-Am by planting 100 trees at their hands.
The idea of OPL came about to improve the camaraderie, networking, building closeness with the golfing community along with supporting corporates, explained Seolekar.
He said OGR wants to make it a regular feature for years to come on Pune’s golfing calendar.
Speaking about the player’s auction held on May 13, Seolekar said he was overwhelmed by the response from the participating teams. “It actually overtook my expectations,” said Seolekar.
The teams:
1. Shubbaan Sunrisers
2. Wings Warrior
3. Eagle Forces
4. Green Gladiators
5. Sultans of swing
6. Roaring Tigers Nagpur
7. AK’s Poona Lions
8. The Legacy Club
