NEW DELHI - Oct. 7, 2004 - The McDowell's Signature Club Golf Championship, starting on October 16 in Pune, has added a new chapter to its itinerary this year. For this is the first time the championship the finals will be played outside the borders of India. They are slated for December 12 in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

The tournament, in its third year, will see a highest ever participation by 30 clubs from across 21 cities, Vijay Rekhi, President of the UP Group Spirits Division, said at a press conference in New Delhi. Explaining the reason behind the peculiar move Rekhi said, "We want to make the championship a significant golf event in the South Asian region and thereby attract the best golfers and leading clubs to participate. We have taken the first step in this direction by taking the final to Sri Lanka."

The title clash will be played at Victoria Country and Golf Resorts, Kandy. The stage one of the tournament will comprise members-only intra-club competition using the Nett Stableford format. The top six golfers in the respective handicap category will form the club team.

In stage two, the club teams from each region will compete to determine who represents the region in the All India Club finals where regional winners of inter-club tournaments from North, South, East and West will compete at Kandy for the title.

Classic Golf Resort, Gurgaon, near New Delhi, two-time champions and holders, would be aiming for a hat-trick of titles this time around.