This year, the Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar (TARS), an important event organised by R&A to help teach the rules of golf, took place for the first time in India. This significant event happened because the Indian Golf Union (IGU) worked hard and was dedicated to improving how officiating is done in the country.

The process started when people were invited to sign up for the TARS exam, which was given online through R&A’s website. To pass, participants needed to score at least 80%, which was set to make sure they really understood the Rules of Golf. Many candidates, who had years of experience at local tournaments and support from IGU mentors, felt sure of themselves and succeeded in the test.

The seminar occurred at Jaypee Greens Golf & Country Club on April 27–28, 2025, and it was a top-notch experience. Leading the seminar was Mr. Roger M. Bathurst, the Chairman of the R&A Rules of Golf Committee, whose experience and leadership created an excellent learning atmosphere over two days.

Participants worked on team exercises about course marking, discussed rules in detail, and took part in real-life practice scenarios. Everything in the program was meant to connect what they learned in theory with how to use it in real situations.

The hands-on activities on the golf course were the best part of the seminar. Experienced referees, who have worked on PGA and international tours, pretended to be players, while the new referees had to make decisions about the rules. The realistic situations, along with instant feedback from top professionals, created a unique place for learning. For many, hearing a senior referee say something like “Good job” was a very rewarding moment.

An IGU Triumph: Raising the Bar

Hosting TARS in India successfully is a big step forward for improving how officials are trained in the sport. It’s not just a seminar; it’s an important move that will help develop the next group of referees and tournament officials.

Some key accomplishments from this event include:

Twenty-one Level 1 seminars and three Level 2 seminars were held to prepare for TARS.

Online exams that allowed retakes for those who did not get the needed scores (85% for Level 2, 80% for Level 3).

Invitations were sent out to all “A” category referees to take part in TARS.

Forty-nine players from India attended the first TARS session in the country, and 42 of them passed.

The number of TARS-certified referees in IGU grew to 65, which is a 200% increase.

The Indian Navy helped 7 of its officers attain the certification.

Malvika Mishkita received the honoured ACC Rules Scholarship under the R&A program.

Krisha A. Nichani became the youngest Indian to ever earn TARS certification.

Nebu Philip became the first TARS-certified referee from Kerala.

These achievements show that India is prepared to make a bigger and more important impact on the global refereeing world. The rise of trained and certified referees, including talented young people like Malvika and Krisha, is a positive sign for the sport’s future in India.

The IGU’s forward-thinking and dedication have created a stronger base for teaching the rules in India and have also sparked a new excitement and admiration for how the game is managed.

For many people who attended, this path from being active golfers or new referees to becoming officially recognised Rules Referees has been life-changing. The Rules of Golf are seen not as strict laws, but as the essential structure and essence of the game.

The success of TARS in India starts a new era, one where knowledgeable referees, equipped with both education and hands-on experience, will maintain the fairness of the game at all levels.

-Bhavnesh Gujral
Level 2 Referee
Indian Golf Union (IGU)