Reality (golf) TV

Meet the man behind the ambitious Emirates Amateur Golf League, a world-first concept poised to positively disrupt the golfing landscape

- KENT GRAY

IN BUSINESS, Sudesh Aggarwal is an seasoned professional. After graduating with an MBA in 1973 and cutting his teeth as a management consultant for Price Waterhouse, he’s built a formidable empire since 1988 with a diverse portfolio of investments ranging from food production, home furnishings and real estate to events management and even video gaming.

In golf, Aggarwal is a 14-handicapper although once got as low as six. But don’t be fooled by the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club founding member’s more modest golf ability. The ambition and entrepreneurship that has seen him featured in a list of the top 100 Indian Businessmen in the UAE is set to disrupt the game like never before.

With the official backing of the Emirates Golf Federation and blessing of the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), Aggarwal launched the Emirates Amateur Golf League (EAGL) on January 20. In a nutshell, it’s IPL cricket meets amateur golf, a Ryder Cup-style franchise-based league with an inaugural eight-team season earmarked to start in November.