Adobe Stock / theartofpics
International golf course architecture practice Lobb + Partners is a new strategic partner for the design of multiple golf destinations across India with the PGA of America — hired by by Aivot Golf & Sports Management Private Limited, a new organization created by a group of Indian/American investors.
Golf has a long history in India: The subcontinent’s first course, Royal Calcutta, was established in 1829 — the first in the world outside Scotland, before golf had even spread to England or Ireland — and there are about 300 courses across the country today.
But large-scale golf development has been slow to take off in India, despite the historical and cultural fit, because fragmented land ownership has made it difficult for potential developers to acquire suitable properties. Aivot and its partners have ambitions to transform the development of golf in India.
After signing the partnership agreement at the new PGA of America headquarters in Frisco, Texas, L+P founder and principal Tim Lobb said, “As a team we aspire to create world-class golf courses, academies, and outstanding hotel and residential amenities alongside them. This is massively exciting for Indian golf, and we are overjoyed to be involved.”
The golf facilities will be PGA-branded, and are planned to include a mix of courses, academies, and training centers. A substantial number of developments are planned across the subcontinent, in cities and regions including Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru (Bangalore), Chandigarh, and Lucknow.
The Mumbai, Goa, and Hyderabad projects are slated to be first up.
“The Goa project will be a resort — ideal for an area that is a major tourist destination — but some of the others, nearer to major cities, will be integrated golf communities,” Lobb said. “Aivot is a very forward thinking and talented group aiming to achieve something new for golf in India.”
Aivot CEO Alok Tiwari, a leading entrepreneur in the field of artificial intelligence, said: “Our plans are hugely ambitious. We are trying to create a hub for innovation and excellence in golfer development for India. As such, we naturally need partners who provide the absolute best quality support available, and we are confident that, in the PGA of America and Lobb + Partners, we have just that.”
Courtesy of Aivot Golf and Lobb + Partners
Counterclockwise, from bottom left, Aivot CEO Alok Tiwari, Lobb + Partners principal Tim Lobb and associate Alex Hay, and Aivot partner David Blum.
