An eight-city season
On 27 October, the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and business publication Business Today announced a partnership for the 27th season of BT Golf, an established corporate golf series. The launch took place at Qutub Golf Course in New Delhi, bringing together officials from both organisations and professional golfers.
The new season is planned across eight Indian cities, beginning on 31 October 2026 at Tollygunge Club in Kolkata. Organisers intend to retain the multi-city structure and explore expansion. The announcement does not yet set out a complete schedule for the remaining venues.
Kapil Dev challenges golf's exclusive image
Kapil Dev, the former Indian cricket captain and president of DP World PGTI, attended the launch, which included a pitch-and-putt activity. Speaking separately to the Indian news agency PTI, he argued against treating golf as a sport reserved for an elite few. He highlighted its potential to create career opportunities and connections between people.
That ambition needs an important qualification: BT Golf is primarily a corporate participation platform. The announcement does not establish an open-entry amateur circuit or promise that every event will be accessible to the general public.
Why the professional tour is involved
DP World PGTI chief executive Amandeep Johl said the relationship could bring professional players into contact with business leaders, creating useful connections beyond tournament competition. Business Today brings its corporate audience; PGTI contributes its understanding of professional golf.
The organisations must not be confused with the international DP World Tour. DP World PGTI is India's domestic men's professional circuit, while BT Golf is a corporate series, not a newly sanctioned Race to Dubai event or a route to tour cards announced under this agreement.
What happens next
The first measurable milestone is Kolkata's opening event on 31 October. With eight cities promised but the full itinerary not yet published, participation figures, host venues and any lasting benefits for professional players remain to be established. The wider significance lies in how the partners hope to connect India's golf community with companies and executives who can help sustain interest in the sport.
