Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said the government is planning more national-level golfing events to promote Kashmir as a premier golfing destination, asserting that the Valley's golf courses rank among the finest in the country.
Speaking to media after inaugurating the India Golf Carnival 2026 at the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar, CM Omar said Kashmir shares a long and historic association with golf and possesses world-class golfing infrastructure.
"Kashmir has a very old relationship with golf. If you look at the most beautiful golf courses in the country, Kashmir's courses in Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam can easily be counted among them," he said.
The Chief Minister said the government is focusing on encouraging local golfers while simultaneously using the sport to boost tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. He noted that more than 100 golfers, including participants from different parts of the country, took part in the tournament, reflecting Kashmir's growing appeal as a golfing destination.
Omar added that golfers from outside Jammu and Kashmir have increasingly begun visiting Srinagar during long weekends specifically to play golf, expressing hope that such sporting events would further strengthen the tourism sector.
"In North India, whenever there is a long weekend, many golfers are now coming to Srinagar just to play golf. We hope tourism will definitely benefit from this trend," he said.
The Chief Minister said the government, in coordination with tourism authorities and event organisers, is planning more such events to place Kashmir prominently on the national and global golfing map.
"Our aim is to organise as many events as possible so that both local golfers and golfers from outside Kashmir can come together and play here. We want to keep our golf courses at par with the best in the country," he added.
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