Dhaka, Bangladesh: The Bashundhara Group and Bangladesh Golf Federation hailed the successful staging of the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open, won by Singapore’s Mardan Mamat.
Bashundhara Managing Director Safwan Sobhan said the new Asian Tour event was a great platform to promote their brand and the sport of golf in the country and across the region.
“We as a company promote all sorts of sports in the country. We like to promote our country and our brand. Golf is something which I like personally. Not too many people around the world know that Bangladeshis play golf,” said Safwan.
“We want to continue sponsoring this tournament as long as we can. This was the biggest media hype which was generated ever in golf in the country. We hope that the crowd will grow bigger and will take up the game of golf,” he added.
Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah, Secretary General of Bangladesh Golf Federation, sees the Open as a platform which will inspire the future generation of golfers.
“This tournament means a lot for the local players to play against the foreign players. It is a very big exposure and it will pay off in due time. Siddikur has been instrumental in changing golf in Bangladesh.
“He is an inspiration to all our young golfers. There are many young golfers lining up to join the junior programmes and Siddikur was one of the key catalysts behind this. Bangladesh golfers lack exposure so this event is good for them. This experience will go a long way to bring them up,” said Abul Fazal.
Mardan won the US$300,000 event by two shots. He led for all four days, clinching the title with an aggregate 14-under-par 270 at the Kurmitola Golf Club.
It was the first time Bangladesh had hosted an Asian Tour event. The country previously staged domestic and regional tournaments in conjunction with the Professional Golf Tour of India Tour and Asian Development Tour.