The Department of Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir is organising a golf tournament beginning July 5 to increase golfer traffic and boost golf tourism in the valley. A total of 88 golfers, including some from India’s south, will compete in the tournament in Kashmir. Golfers from India’s southern states are members of the Addicts Golfing Society, one of the country’s oldest golf clubs. The tournament is being held to promote the Kashmir golf circuit. Kashmir has three international-standard golf courses, which are located in Srinagar, Pahalgam, and Gulmarg. The tourism department’s golf tournament will be held at the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar and the Lidder Valley Golf Course in Pahalgam.Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary of the Tourism Department, wants to make Jammu and Kashmir the golfing capital of India. According to Greater Kashmir, Hafeez sees great potential in the UT and claims that the department is working hard to make its goal a reality.

The golf tournament will lay the groundwork for larger and better golf events that the department plans to organize in the future. The department expects to attract domestic and international golf enthusiasts as golf tourism develops.