• Vizag Dolphins GC plan clinics and a junior academy;
• IGPL’s X-Golf format targets young and first-time fans

Vizag, November 4, 2026: Visakhapatnam’s growing reputation as a golf destination took centre stage as the East Point Golf Club (EPGC) hosts the Green Fuels Maritime Invitational 2026, which is part of the AM Green IGPL league. This is the first IGPL event to be held at the East Point Golf Club, which in the past has hosted numerous Indian Golf Union and Women’s Golf Association of India events.

Mr. Sudhakar Kaligithi, Managing Director, Green Fuels group and co-Owner, Green Fuels Vizag Dolphins GC, was very enthusiastic as he spoke about promoting golf in Vizag through his franchise, Vizag Dolphins.

For Vizag Dolphins GC, owned by Green Fuel Global Trading Pvt. Ltd., the tournament is the first step in a longer plan to grow the game in the city. “We were keen on taking a franchise team for Andhra Pradesh, and we opted to have a golf team in the name of Vizag Dolphins GC. This sport has international recognition, and it is also an Olympic sport. The very idea is to nurture the young talent here in the beautiful city of Vizag, showcase it to Andhra Pradesh and beyond, and nurture them into Olympic players in the near future,” said Mr. Kaligithi

The host club EPGC and franchise owners Vizag Dolphins GC have big plans to create awareness about the game in Andhra Pradesh through clinics and junior programmes at the Club.

Mr. Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO of Am Green IGPL, and a former Asian Tour pro, spoke about X-Golf, the league’s new speed-golf format, which is aiming to attract the younger generation with a fast-and-furious brand of golf.

The EPGC credited the franchise for bringing the league to the city. Mr. SVR Raju, Honorary Secretary, East Point Golf Club, said, “The EPGC is delighted to host the AM Green IGPL for the first time, and we look forward to continuing this. We sincerely thank the team owners, Vizag Dolphins, for their initiative and support in making this prestigious tournament happen here. It is a proud moment for our club to be associated with professional golf and to showcase our facilities and hospitality.”

Mr. TS Varma, Vice President of the East Point Golf Club, said they were confident over winning over the visiting professionals as the iconic club now has a fresh Clubhouse and a renovated championship course.

Mr. Varma said, “Most people in Vizag are not even aware that there is a golf course here, but we have existed since 1884. Since the course was renovated into a championship course in 2020, word has spread that Vizag has a beautiful golf course. The professionals who played yesterday are all speaking about its uniqueness, a golf course set between the Eastern Ghats that resembles Malaysia or Thailand.”

Vizag Dolphins GC, who plan to make the EPGC as their ‘home’ have a long-term plan with clinics and a junior academy.

Mr. CH Rajasekhar, Director, Vizag Dolphins GC, added, “Once this tournament is done, we want to have more clinics with our pros, and then start an academy for junior golf with the support of IGPL. We want to train as many children as possible from the grassroots level. Many people are not familiar with golf, so our vision is to make people understand the game first, create interest through this format, and bring as many people as possible to the beautiful sport of golf.”

Bringing new audiences to golf is also the aim of X-Golf, the speed-golf format the league has added this season. “A very exciting format has been added to the league called X-Golf. It is speed golf, played in a stadium format on just one hole and against the clock. We have introduced it for youngsters, and for people who don’t understand the sport, to come and watch it, make it more exciting for the entire audience and add to the number of people watching golf,” said Mr. Mundy.