Mumbai: Indian golf on Saturday witnessed the dawn of a new era as more than Rs. 3.83 crores (around USD 700,000) was spent in the auction for 24 players as the inaugural Pearl Golf Premier League was launched here. As many as 24 players in three categories were auctioned at a glittering launch at Sahara Star Hotel in the presence of Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Vinod Khanna.
Akshay requested Khanna to sound the gong to signal the official launch of the inaugural Pearl Golf Premier League.
The golf auction in India was a historic first, as eight franchises bought three players each - a fourth was added to each one of them on the basis of their spend in the auction - to form their teams for the three-day event to be held at the Aamby Valley Golf course from February 7 to 10.
The 2005 US Open champion, New Zealand's Michael Campbell was picked by Shubhkamna Eagles for the highest figure of USD 61,000 (Rs 33.55 lakhs), while Indian internationals Shiv Kapur (USD 59,000) and Gaganjeet Bhullar (USD 58,000) were picked by Maharashtra 59ers and Witalsee Punjab Lancers respectively as the next in the pecking order.
Shubhkamna Eagles were the highest spenders at USD 1,50,000 (Rs 82.5 lakhs) with Maharashtra 59ers at USD 1,35,000 (Rs 74.25 lakhs) and Witalsee Punjab Lancers with USD 1,08,000 (Rs 59.40 lakhs).
Among the teams which picked some of the big names were Maharashtra 59ers (Angel Cabrera, the two-time Major winner), Uttarakhand Lions (2011 Open winner, Darren Clarke), Colombo 6's (Simon Dyson) and Tamilnadu Pullees (Rich Beem, a former PGA Championships winner).
Asian number one Thaworn Wiratchant went to Witalsee Punjab Lancers, while world record holder Chapchai Nirat went to Uttarakhand Lions and Daniel Chopra was picked by Shubhkamna Eagles.
Among Indian internationals Anirban Lahiri, who became the first player ever to go under the hammer, went to Shubhkamna Eagles for USD 52,000 and it set the trend for the evening.
Final line-up of Teams:
Shubhkamna Eagles: Anirban Lahiri, Daniel Chopra (Sweden), Michael Campbell (New Zealand), Shamim Khan.
Delhi Darts: Rahil Ganjee, Scott Barr (Australia), Johan Edfors (Sweden), Ajeetesh Sandhu.
Maharashtra 59'ers: Shiv Kapur, Scott Hend (Australia), Angel Cabrera (Argentina), Ashok Kumar.
Witalsee Punjab Lancers: Gaganjeet Bhullar, Thaworn Wiratchant (Thailand), Shaun Micheel (US), Rashid Khan.
Gujarat Underdawgs: Digvijay Singh, Jarmo Sandelin (Sweden), David Howell (England), Gaurav Ghei.
Uttarakhand Lions: Shankar Das, Chapchai Nirat (Thailand), Darren Clarke (N Ireland), Mukesh Kumar.
Colombo 6's: Chiragh Kumar, Jason Knutzon (Australia), Simon Dyson (England), Mithun Perera (Sri Lanka).
Tamil Nadu Pullees: Himmat Rai, Siddikur (Bangladesh), Rich Beem (US), Harendra Gupta.
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