International golf tournament in Kashmir seeks to revive foreign tourism
The Royal Spring Golf Course (RSGC) in Srinagar, situated at the foothills of the Zabarwan Range, hosted the fifth edition of the J&K Open of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India on Monday, August 3, 2026. Fourteen players from nine countries, including the United States, Japan, Czech Republic, Bangladesh, Canada and Malaysia, are participating in the tournament, which runs until August 7. Organisers said the event is intended to instil a sense of security and boost high-end sports tourism in the region.
The tournament comes at a time when Kashmir is making efforts to attract foreign visitors, a number that dipped following the 2025 attack in Pahalgam. With 130 players overall, the presence of the 14 international golfers is seen as a positive signal. The event features a total prize purse of ₹1 crore, increased from ₹50 lakh in previous editions, reflecting the growing importance of the tournament.
Players expressed admiration for the scenic beauty and the course. Dominic Piccirillo of the United States said the mountain backdrop reminded him of courses in Salt Lake City, Utah. “It’s right up against the mountains, and looked very similar. In fact, one of the prettiest places that I’ve ever gotten to play golf,” he said. However, he noted the “presence of security persons” on the streets as a stark contrast to courses elsewhere.
Joshua Seale of Uganda found the course challenging yet picturesque. “The course is very picturesque. With the rough being pretty high, it’s very challenging. I think even with hitting some bad shots, one is still able to enjoy the view. The views are second to none,” he said. Jamal Hossain of Bangladesh commented on the weather conditions, saying rain had made fairways slower than usual. He appreciated the course design and said, “It is pleasing to play on this beautiful course.”
Amandeep Johl, Chief Executive Officer of DP World PGT, said the RSGC, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, provides a championship venue admired for its playing conditions and surroundings. He added that the tournament is part of J&K Tourism’s initiative to promote golf tourism in the region. Besides RSGC, J&K is home to the Jammu Tawi Golf Course, Pahalgam Golf Course and Gulmarg Golf Club. Johl said these courses provide a mesmerising experience to golfers.
The event is being held in a context of fluctuating foreign tourist arrivals. Numbers had fallen from a high of 37,166 in 2012 to less than 15,000 in 2016, recovered to 43,654 in 2024, but dipped again in 2025 after the Pahalgam attack. Syed Qamar Sajad, director of the Kashmir tourism department, said, “We are projecting Kashmir as a premier golf tourism destination. With world-class courses and participation from 16 foreign professionals, we aim to attract global golfers, promote local talent, and boost high-end sports tourism.” The organisers, however, put the number of foreign professionals at 14.
