Rashid only Indian in this year`s Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy

New Delhi: Delhi teenager Rashid Khan will be the only golfer to represent India in the 12-member

Asia-Pacific team for the seventh Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy commencing at the Karnataka Golf Association course in Bangalore from April 21. The biennial tournament, which sees a Asia-Pacific team taking on European squad with 12 amateurs in each side and not more than two players from one country, is being held in India for the first time since its inception in 1998. Rashid exuded confidence about putting up a good performance in the tournament, which gives the amateur golfers an opportunity to turn pros. "I am very much excited about the tournament which is taking place in India for the first time this year. I have played at the KGA course earlier and am definitely hoping for a good performance," he said today. Major General (Retd) A Parmer, Director General of the Indian Golf Union, said this tournament is a good platform for the young players. "This tournament gives excellent exposure to the young players like Rashid. We are very excited that the event, which is on the model of Ryder Cup, is being held in the country for the first time.” "The KGA course has all the required facilities and we are hopeful of holding a succesful event," Parmer said. "We are expecting some good performance from Rashid, who have come up to the 11th spot in world ranking which is never a small achievement," he added. The Asia-Pacific side will comprise golfers from Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Philippines, Singapore and China, while the European team have players from nine countries including England and Spain. "We are happy to host the very very prestigious tournament. Europe is the defending champion and the Asia-Pacific will try to regain the title. So it will be a keen contest out there," said Rishi Narain, Managing Director of RN Golf Management. The event was last held in Spain in 2008. PTI