CHANDIGARH: Four-time winner on the European Tour, Jeev Milkha Singh on Wednesday became the first professional golfer in the world to get the prestigious 10-year Dubai Golden Visa in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the sport.
The 49-year-old Jeev has had a long association with Dubai, having featured in several tournaments in the city. During the 2001 Dubai Desert Classic, the Chandigarh golfer had established a world record at that time when he completed the four rounds with just 94 putts while finishing tied sixth.
“I am really honoured and humbled that the Dubai government has considered me for the Golden Visa and I am looking forward to making many more special memories here,” said the Padma Shri awardee, who lost both his parents, the ‘Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh and mother Nirmal Kaur due to post-Covid complications earlier this year.
Jeev, who rose to No. 28 in the official World Golf Ranking, a high that few Asian golfers have managed to surpass, said he had always cherished every moment of his stay in Dubai.
“This is a huge honour. I think I came to Dubai for the first time in 1993, and I have greatly admired the energy of this fascinating city. My family has enjoyed the many offerings of Dubai, like the variety of restaurants and shopping, but being a professional golfer, the biggest attraction for me is the quality of golf courses and the practice facilities that you get here, which really are second to none,” he said.
“I have also got a lot of support from Dubai. I was one of the first ambassadors for Jumeirah Golf Estates, and also of 'Golf in Dubai' for many years,” said the six-time winner on the Asian Tour.
