Past Confederation of Professional Golf Honorary President, Donato Di Ponziano, has been given the honour of becoming India’s first ‘Master Teaching Professional’ by the Indian Golf Union (IGU) at a recent ceremony at the DLF Golf and Country Club in New Delhi.

Di Ponziano has been a regular visitor to India to support the development of golf in the country for over 20 years.  The honour comes in recognition of his assistance in establishing the National Golf Academy of India (NGAI) and subsequent development of many of the country’s coaches.

“Through  Donato Di Ponziano’s vision, strong focus and effective leadership, The Indian Golf Union established ‘The National Golf Academy of India’ almost a decade back,” said President of the Indian Golf Union, Jaydeep Chitlangia.

“It has created a pool of trained and dedicated golf coaches, and as a result of his efforts Indians now compete at the highest level of the game.  It is befitting that the NGAI and IGU are honouring  Donato Di Ponziano with this title in the 10th year of the NGAI.”

“Receiving this award today fills me with great satisfaction,” said Di Ponziano.  “I wish to thank the IGU who felt that I deserved the award, Indian golf professionals without which, in truth, I would never be successful in a project so ambitious, and also The R&A and the Confederation of Professional Golf for the help they have given to continue to grow the missionary projects for developing the sport.”

Chairperson of the NGAI, Dr. Satbinder Singh, added, “We at the IGU and at the NGAI are proud to confer this title on  Donato for his support in establishing the NGAI, which  hugely contributed towards the scientific training and teaching  of Golf Coaches and resulted in the growth of game in the country.”

Jesse Grewal, Director of the NGAI, also said “For Teaching Professionals in India, Donato has always been our ‘guru’. Thus it is befitting that Donato is the first Master Teaching Professional.”

For more information on the Indian Golf Union visit www.indiangolfunion.org.