Stars Golf League Redefines Golf With Legends, Inclusivity, And Fan Focus

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) As Co-founder of the World Tennis League (WTL) and World Padel League (WPL), Hemali Sharma has consistently demonstrated an instinct for innovation, audience engagement, and bold sporting concepts that transcend traditional formats.

Her work reflects a rare blend of entrepreneurial vision and emotional intelligence, qualities that position her not just as an organiser but as a curator of sporting experiences.

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Now, as the driving force behind the Stars Golf League (SGL), Dubai's first franchise-driven golf league, Sharma is once again reimagining how the sport can be played and celebrated.

The league unites legendary golfers like Ernie Els and Paul Lawrie, leading women professionals including Tvesa Malik and Sara Kouskova, and celebrity players such as Kapil Dev and Dwight Yorke in a dynamic, team-based format designed to be both inclusive and entertaining. Scheduled to take place at the iconic The Els Club from March 25-28, the four-day spectacle signals a bold new chapter for golf.

In this exclusive interview, Hemali reveals her vision for the Stars Golf League and how she's putting fans at the heart of the experience.

Khaleej Times: You've led the success of the World Tennis League and World Padel League; how exciting is it to now launch the Stars Golf League as a franchise-driven global sporting concept?
Hemali: After the success of the World Tennis League and World Padel League, we are thrilled to launch the Stars Golf League. Personally, this journey has been incredibly fulfilling, and I'm very excited about what's ahead. We are taking all learnings from the Tennis and Padel Leagues and incorporating them into the Golf League, from enhancing the fan experience to reimagining the franchise-led format. Our aim is to apply everything we've learned to make golf more exciting, accessible, and engaging for everyone.

Q: The Stars Golf League unites legends, women professionals, and celebrity golfers in one team format. What inspired this inclusive, entertainment-driven approach?
Hemali: The vision behind reimagining golf was to move away from the traditional format and make the game more engaging and exciting for the audience. We wanted to create an experience that feels fresh and entertaining for fans while also being more inclusive. The format, featuring legends, women professionals, and celebrities, offers something completely new, a one-of-a-kind experience that fans won't see anywhere else. The idea was to break away from stereotypes and bring something truly different to the game.

Q: How important was inclusivity, with women professionals competing alongside male legends and celebrities?
Hemali: With WTL and WPL, we learned that today's fans don't just want matches - they want experiences, stories and a real connection with their idols. With the Stars Golf League, we're taking it further with team rivalries in a fun and sporty format, legends and celebrities playing together, immersive fan experiences, and full digital engagement- so fans can feel the energy, excitement and enjoy the action, no matter where they are in the world.

Q: With world-class players, a $1 million prize pool, and a four-day spectacle at The Els Club, do you see this league as a game-changer?
Hemali: Absolutely world-class players, legends and celebrities, the $1 million prize pool, and a four-day spectacle at the iconic The Els Club, the Stars Golf League is going to be one of its kind and will be a game changer in how fans experience golf. It's going to be inclusive, entertaining and fast-paced - giving fans not just a tournament but a festival of sports, which they can experience in person or online.

Q: Having built fan-focused experiences with WTL and WPL, what innovations are you bringing to the Stars Golf League?
Hemali: We attribute the success of WTL and WPL to our fans. Their energy and involvement encourages us strive for more, so definitely they are our main focus. And with Stars Golf League, we are going to raise the bar higher with fun and engaging matches, healthy rivalries, celebrity involvement, and a sport festival-like feeling. It's going to turn golf into an experience, not just a tournament.

Q: Curating 24 legends, 6 women professionals, and 6 celebrities must have been challenging; how did you approach it?
Hemali: Curating this lineup was both challenging and exciting. Bringing together 24 legends, 6 women professionals, and 6 celebrities required careful planning to balance talent with star power and create strong team dynamics. Our team owners have also played a crucial role in bringing everything together with their vision and expertise. Seeing it all come along has been incredibly fulfilling. It perfectly reflects the spirit of the Stars Golf League - entertaining, inclusive, and giving fans some truly great golf.

Q: Dubai has become a hub for innovative sports leagues. Why was it the ideal launch city?
Hemali: Dubai is perfect for innovation in sport. The city has a world-class infrastructure, a good mix of regional and global audience, and a forward-thinking approach to new concepts and ideas. It not only hosts many such great sporting events but also redefines them, which makes it an ideal destination to host the inaugural season of the Stars Golf League.

Q: Do you see the Stars Golf League following a global growth trajectory similar to your other leagues?
Hemali: Definitely. Just like our other leagues, we see the Stars Golf League growing globally. Our aim is to redefine franchise-based sport, create a format that can travel across markets, and deliver an experience that is both entertaining and inclusive for fans everywhere.

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