Golf in India
Introduction
In
India you can play golf almost anywhere, for this outdoors sport is widely played
by a cross-section of people to the country's often-dramatic background. In
the hills and high Himalayan fastness, in metropolitan cities and in small towns,
by lakes and forests, or surrounded by tea estates, out in the desert and in
old British cantonments... the flavor of India is visible everywhere that golf
in the country is played. You can stroll of the course to share a cup of piping
hot tea at a 'dhaba', tee off from the highest 18-hole course in the world,
watch a peacock dance on a green or play on a course that is enriched by old
monuments and beautiful buildings. In India anything is possible, and playing
golf here will enable you to experience the country in a unique manner. India
was the first country outside of Great Britain to take up the game of golf. The
Royal Calcutta Golf Club, established in 1829, is the oldest golf club in India,
and the first outside Great Britain. With the growing influence of the British
in the Indian empire, the eighteenth century saw a mushrooming of new golf
clubs in India. Wherever land was available and grass grew, golf found a
new home. The founding of the Royal Calcutta Golf Club in 1829 was followed
by the nowdefunct Royal Bombay Golf Club in 1842 and the Bangalore Golf Club
in 1876.The Shillong Golf Club incorporated a golf course in 886. Golf had already
been played in India for 59 years before the first major course was
opened in the USA and Europe in 1888. By the end of the 19th century, India
already had a dozen golf clubs. What makes golfing in India exciting is the
diversity of its courses. Not only does it have the oldest golf club in the
world outside Great Britain, but also the highest, at Gulmarg (altitude
2,700 metres) in Kashmir. There are golf courses in the
mountains,
plains, and deserts and at beach resorts. The environment of each course
is unique in its culture and history, highlighting all that makes India a diverse
destination. In fact, it would not be wrong to say that one of the best ways
to experience India is through its golf courses. Most of India's courses are
well connected by road, rail, and air, and have excellent accommodation
facilities. Unfortunately, India still has to rely on the West for golfing
equipment, and visitors, and visitors are advised to carry their own sets,
with an ample supply of golf balls. Till the 50s, golf clubs in India were affiliated
to the Royal Calcutta Golf Club, which followed the rules of St. Andrews in
Scotland. In December 1955, a group of golfers got together to form
the Indian Golf Union as the controlling body for the game. The Indian
Golf Union is now affiliated to the World Amateur Golf Council, and has
done a great deal to promote golfing in the country. In 1957, it started its first
training camp at the Royal in Calcutta, where assistant professionals and caddies
were brought from all over the country and trained to teach golf. The year 1958
is a landmark in the history of Indian Championship was moved away from the
Royal Calcutta Golf Club to be played alternately at Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta.
The most important annual event in the calendar of the Indian Golf Union is
the India Open Golf Championship, which was first played in Delhi in 1964, and
won by the Australian golfer, Peter Thompson. Golfing in India has come a long
way, and a large number of Indian players now compete on the international
circuit. Golf enthusiasts continue to grow in numbers, and new courses
are added almost every year. And what could be a better feather in India's
golfing cap than the fact that Delhi was chosen to host the first ever golf
competition for the Asian Games in 1982.
Golf in Northern India
The golden triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur is the most well beaten
of India’s tourist tracks. In the city of the Taj Mahal, Agra, a game of golf
can be played at the Agra Club against the backdrop of the magnificent
mausoleum. At Jaipur, or the Pink City, the golf club is a part of the Rambagh
Palace, the residence of the former maharaja. The 18-hole course has browns,
mostly on small hillocks and mounds, offering a challenge to even the most seasoned
green player. The second largest city in the state of Rajasthan after Jaipur,
Jodhpur,
located on the edge of the Thar Desert, is one of India's most picturesque cities.
The city’s arid climate, with its hot summer temperatures, does not deter its
golfers, who enjoy the game in the sandy fairways of the Sardar Club. Away from
the desert of Rajasthan in the Kumaon hill is a small town called Ranikhet.
Close to the more popular hill town of Nainital, Ranikhet is a resort for those
who prefer the quiet environs of a country town. Located amidst a thick grove
of pine trees, the Uppat Golf Course has nine with browns. Also located on the
Kumaon-Garhwal range of mountains is Dehra Dun, most famous for its Forest Research
Institute, and as a gateway to the hill resort of Mussoorie, Dehra Dun is also
the training ground for the young recruits of the Indian Army and the Indian
Military Academy initiates its cadets into the sport on a lush nine hole course,
playable 18. Lucknow, The former seat of the rulers of Avadh, is
the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh, a city steeped in culture
and tradition, fine monuments and exotic cuisines. Lucknow has two golf
courses, the privately owned Lucknow Golf Course. Mauribagh is an 18-hole
course with greens and thickly wooded fairways. The Lucknow is the holy city
of Allahabad, the venue of the famous Kumbha Mela and the meeting point of the
holy rivers Ganga, Jamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. The defence Services
Golf Club at McPherson Park has a fine nine hole course. Also in the state of
Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur, is an industrial town with a nine-hole golf course at
the Defence Services Club. Running parallel to the river Ganga, the course is
playable to 18, and has well maintained greens. Varanasi is the holiest of Indian
cities, a Mecca for Hindus who believe they can cleanse their sins with a dip
in the holy Ganga flowing here. Even in this city, where religion is the primary
occupation, a fine game of golf is possible at the DSO Gorkha Golf Club. The
capital of ancient India for many centuries, Patna was originally called Pataliputra
and was a center for religious learning. Now the capital of the state of Bihar,
Patna is still frequented by religious scholars. The Patna Golf Club has a well-maintained
course and offers a fine game.
DELHI
Originally
located in an area more than twice its present size, the course at the Delhi
Golf Club was consolidated to its present 220 acres in 1950. Like the rest of
Delhi, its golf course is also laid out on a part of India's history. Carved
out of a portion, which was the estate of the Lodhi rulers, it has in its precincts
a collection of interesting tombs and monuments. The Delhi Golf course is also
a sanctuary for over 300 species of birds, and the rain dance of the colorful
peacock or the scurrying of a partridge often startles the golfer. Planted with
a variety of over 200 trees, the Delhi course is the most lush in the country,
and its sandy loam has produced a rich turf good for the exacting fairway shorts.
The 6,972 yards, par 72, 18 hole golf course was redesigned by Peter Thompson
in 1977-78 and got a major fillip when it was chosen to host the first ever
golf tournament at the Asian Games in 1982. More than 500 golfers walk into
history every day as they play the country's busiest course. The
club also has a nine-hole B course, used primarily by beginners. The first hole
on the main course is a 522 yards par five, which doglegs to the left around
a thorny bush rough. A bunker placed a good 180 yards from the tee is the marker
for the drive. The second shot has to negotiate the narrow elbow, which has
thick bushes on either side or a trap in front. It's best to use an iron on
this stroke and keep the ball in play. You are still a good 100 odd yards from
the green, which looks deceptively distant because of the mound in front of
it. The green itself is very fast and tilts on either side. The 378 yards, par
four, second hole, is intriguing. If you take the tiger line, you have
a long carry over some grasping trees, but then an easy shot to a sporting green,
fast in some parts and slow in some. The par three holes on the course are
fairly simple with the exception of the 12th, which is on a plateau with a deep
hazard in front where water and slush are allowed to accumulate during the
winter and thick scrub abounds in summer. The oval green on the 12th is also
one of the most interesting with dips, slopes and ripples making it fast and difficult
to read. The 17th hole is an easy par 3, the tee off for which is located near
a Lodhi Tomb, and the green of which requires a lofted shot by three bunkers,
one almost five feet deep. The 16th a long
par
four is among the most testing on the course. The drive needs to carry
a good 210 yards to enable the player to take a regulation on the second shot.
The drive is constricted by a narrow doglegged fairway and needs to clear the
two-neem trees paced at the center of the elbow. Should your drive fail to clear
the trees, the green is obstructed by the trees on the left, thorny rough on
the right and a huge mud hill in the center. Most of India's modern history
was written in Delhi. As the seat of the Indian parliament and the headquarters
of its government, Delhi is an international city, always busy with ceremonial
pageantry, be it the visit of the head of a foreign country, India's Republic
Day, or a major international conference. Delhi takes a lot of seeing simply
because there are so many monuments and tombs that bear testimony to its history.
From Mughal India, the chief attraction is the Red Fort, a huge settlement that
contains within it some very beautiful palaces and handsome public buildings,
now the site of a son et lumiere programme. Following in the footsteps of the
Mughals came the British, and their legacy is the elegant city of New Delhi
with its wide avenues and colonial bungalows. A wide range of arts and crafts
is available in Delhi. Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk and Karol Bagh are the
main shopping centers. However, markets are found in every residential area.
Golfing in the city, you can discover the excitement of Delhi, the experience
of the historical and contemporary city beginning from the golf course
itself. Delhi also has a golf course run by the Army at DSOI in South Delhi,
which offers an alternative to a busy day's golf at the Delhi Golf
Club. Haryana Tourism has two golf courses close by, in the adjoining Suraj
Kund Complex and in neighboring Faridabad. Golfing Notes
Delhi
Golf Club Address: Dr. Zakhir Hussain Marg, New Delhi 10003 Year of Foundation:
1931 Altitude: 216m Open: Round the Year No. Of Holes: 18 Distance Ladies: 5,859
yards Distance Gentlemen: 6,869 yards Par: 72 Additional Facilities: Pro Shop,
restaurant, bar, card room, swimming pool. Accommodation: In the city. Climate:
summer: Max. 44C Min. 21C, winter: Max 33.1C Min 7.3C.
NOIDA (U.P.)
Adjoining Delhi is the Noida Golf Course, recently set up by the Noida Authority. Easily
accessible to foreign tourists and Delhites, it is situated on National Highway
13-A. An 18 hole golf course covering almost 100 acres, it is new and still
in the process of providing additional facilities and amenities for the golfer.The
Noida Golf Course boasts its own antiquity with historical monuments dating
back to the British period. The monument commemorates the Battle of Delhi in
which the British Army under
General
Gerard Lake defeated the forces of the Maharattas commanded by M. Louis Bourquien.
This was fought on September 11th, 1803, and brings to the Noida Golf Course
a touch of India's historical past. There are number of water hazards. A water
drain runs through fairways No.8 ,10, 11, and 7. There is a big lake on hole
No. 7, which is also the tightest hole. The distance from tee No. 7 to
the end of the lake is about 150 yards.
AGRA
A nine hole course with all greens just a stone's throw from the Taj Mahal is actually
playing golf against the background of one of the seven wonders of the world.
Indeed, a unique course to play on! The Agra Club manages the course. The tall
trees on all the sides offer just a glimpse of the Taj dome from the clubhouse.
You will require all your golfing acumen to save the ball from getting lost
in the woods. The course is certainly a challenge for the professional, as the
putting greens are not as smooth as one would like them to be but where else
would you find such a historical back drop of monuments to play against? A casual
visitor can play by paying a green fee, which is always nominal. Agra,
with its laid back lifestyle and its immense wealth of architecture, handicrafts
and jewellery, is among the most remarkable cities of the world. As visitors
walk down the narrow, bustling streets, they shouldn't be surprised if the man
contentedly smoking a hoo kahturns out to be a direct descendant of some bygone
Mughal. Agra, with its innumerable monuments and sightseeing attractions, including excellent
shopping, needs no introduction to tourists. It has excellent hotels and is
easily accessible by road, rail and air from Delhi.
JAIPUR
An eighteen-hole course with nine greens and nine browns overlooks the picturesque
Moti Doongri Palace and the historical Nahargarh Fort. The fairway passes through
the Rambagh Polo Grounds, which have seen some of the finest polo matches in
the time of the late Sawai Man Singh. These days there are more golfers to be
seen on the ground where the Royals once moved on their chargers. The upper
course has nine greens around the polo ground. A drain separates the lower course,
which has nine browns spread over a rough
and
undulating landscape. A casual visitor can play by paying a nominal green fee.
Interspersed with a play of red and pink were white borders and motifs, painstakingly
outlining the architectural highlights of Jaipur's buildings, ever since 1727,
when Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II had Jaipur built. Except for the busy traffic
of bicycles, cars and buses, little seems to have changed. There is
a timeless quality to Jaipur's bazaars and its people. As the gateway to Rajasthan,
Jaipur figures on every tourist itinerary. A game of golf would prove yet another
incentive!
CHANDIGARH
What makes the Chandigarh course interesting are its lush green fairways bounded
by groves of trees, which funnel out onto the green. Each fairway has is own
distinctive fragrance, depending on the species of trees planted there. Playing
the full course, a golfer will pass through thick mango, jamun, eucalyptus and
kikar groves, dotted by a variety of rose bushes. The greens are the truest
in the country and have to be read very carefully. The par five, 480 yards,
seventh hole is one of the toughest on the course. It requires short and
sure shots to negotiate the crescent shaped fairway and avoid the thickly
wooded roughs. The most difficult green is the fourteenth, surrounded by bunkers
and out-of-bound areas. The most scenic hole, however, is the 580 yards, par
five, sixteenth, with an extremely tight fairway running parallel to the lake
on the right and a mini-zoo and grove of trees on the left. A road bisects the
Chandigarh course into two, with nine holes on either side. Inspite of the fact
that the idea of starting a golf course in Chandigarh was conceived in the 50's,
it took almost ten years for it to take shape. In 1960 a piece of land was allotted,
and a club established, with an initial membership of just ten golfers.
The nine-hole course was enlarged to 12 when a benevolent governor who surrendered
a major chunk of land from his official residence granted additional land to
the club in 1966. It was only as late as September 1983 that a regular 18-hole
par 72 course was
finally
laid out over a sprawling 132 acres. Like the city itself, Chandigarh's golf
course is one of the newest courses of international standards in
the country. It conforms to the ethos of the city with its lush green fairways,
well-manicured greens and a variety of fruit and flowering trees. Soon after
India's Independence, Le Corbusier, the famous French architect, was commissioned
to design a modern city. Corbusier chose a site in the foothills of the Shivalik
Mountains, close to the temple of Goddess Chandi, and Chandigarh was born. Sandwiched
between the states of Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh functions as a common capital
for both. Chandigarh is indeed a model city, a tribute to Corbusier, whose primary concern
was to avoid the urban congestion prevalent in most India's cities. Wide roads
lined with avenues of trees, neat buildings, lush gardens, fountains, waterways
and even a lake -Sukhna Lake - was formed by chanellising two hill streams,
and is today a favorite with Chandigarh's citizens who use it boulevard for
their constitutionals. The lake has also become the winter home a large number
of migratory birds from Central Asia, which journey here to in its serene and
unpolluted environs. Chandigarh is only 5 hours drive from New Delhi and provides
a leisurely lifestyle in a modern and comfortable environment with comfortable
hotels and excellent excursion possibilities in the Himachal hills.
Golfing Notes Chandigarh Golf Club Address: Sector 6, Chandigarh Year of
Foundation: 1966 - 12 holes course, 1983 - 18 holes Altitude: 304 - 365m Open:
All year round No of Holes: 18 Distance Ladies: 6,182 yards Distance Gentlemen:
6,618 yards Par: 72 Architect: Sports Department. Additional Facilities: Bar,
card room, swimming pool, and cafeteria. Accommodation: In the city Closest
town: Chandigarh, 250 km from Delhi. Closest Airport: Chandigarh.
How to get there: By Road: On National Highway 22 from Delhi, By Air: Indian
Airlines Climate: Max. 44C, Min. 1.7C Clothing Cottons in summer, Woolens in
winter.
Golf in Southern India
Bangalore - Mysore - Ooty - Kodaikanal - Madras - Hyderabad
Southern India has some of India's finest and most picturesque courses, primarily
due to the efforts of the tea and spice planters who popularized the sport in
the region. At an elevation of 6,000 feet in the Palni Hills, surrounded by,
cinnamon and pepper groves at Kodaikanal, is the Kodaikanal Golf. An 18 hole,
par 66 course, it is laid over natural grasslands and criss-crossed by streams.
Coimbatore, at the base of the Nilgiri Mountains, is the gateway to the famous
golf resort at Ootacamund. Primarily an industrial township, Coimbatore is often
to as the 'Manchester of the East' because of its large number of textile. The
Coimbatore Golf Club has laid out a new 18-hole course, which promises to be
one of the finest in the country. Between Coimbatore and Ootacamund is Wellington,
a small army settlement which has a nine-hole course maintained by the Wellington
Gymkhana Club. Cochin is one of India's most frequented southern ports. In fact,
it was one of the earliest trading points in the country, and attracted a large
number of Portuguese, Spanish and English merchants. The Golf Club in Cochin
is located at Bolghatti, an enchanting island in the middle of the harbor, which
is approachable only by boat. East of Cochin, at an elevation of 6,000 feet,
is Munnar, one of the most scenic and superbly managed areas of real estate
in India. At Top Station, 29 km from Munar, is the Kundale Golf Club, first
opened by the local planters in 1918. The nine-hole course is a par 34 and runs
over some of the most exciting and undulating country. Two other centers for
golf are Trivandrum, the capital of the southern state of Kerala, and the beautiful
hilly region of Coorg in Karnataka. While Trivandrum is city with a strong historic
tradition and has as much to offer the tourist as the, Coorg is tucked among
verdant hills that are lush with tea and coffee and interspersed with quaint
cottages and colonial memorabilia.
BANGALORE
Founded on June 24, 1876, the Bangalore Golf Club is the second oldest in India.
It also has the distinction of hosting, with Madras, the oldest inter-club tournament
in the country, which started in 1878 and is played alternately in Bangalore
and Madras. In the days when railways and aircraft were still things of the
future, golfers often traveled as much as 300 km on horseback and in bullock
carts to
participate
in the tournament. The bar at the Bangalore Golf has some interesting memorabilia
tracing the history of the club. The par 71,6,650 yards, 18-hole course started
with browns, which were later converted to greens. Scarcity of water is a major
constraint in the area and the course has few water hazards. Besides trees and
deep ditches, the major hazard on course is the Bangalore crow, which often
picks up the ball, mistaking it for egg. It is therefore, not surprising that
the logo of the Bangalore Golf Club crow with a ball in its beak. Though the
fairways at the Bangalore Golf Club are fairly dry and sandy, the greens
are lush and well manicured. Drives have to be well planned to avoid the
rocky parts of the fairway, where the ball tends to veer off and change direction.Large
bunkers invariably trap the greens. A large number of flowering trees, which
include the colorful gulmohar, palm and eucalyptus, are planted along the tight
fairways. The course is remarkable in the 18 holes have been packed into just
60 acres of land. The second course at Bangalore is more recent, and came about
after the government recognized golf as a major tourist attraction and acquired
126 acres of land near the airport for the Karnataka Golf Association. Peter
Thompson, the internationally known golf architect, was chosen to design
the course, and nine of the 18 holes have already been laid out. The being
played back. Bangalore is the garden city of India. Capital of the southern
state of Karnataka, Bangalore has a salubrious climate with moderate annual
temperatures, making it an ideal health resort. Bangalore has also emerged as
a major commercial center and a large number of industries and trading houses
have moved here. Tipu Sultan was fond of good living, and built gardens and
palaces throughout his state. Golfing Notes Bangalore Golf Club Address:
No. 2, Sankey Road, High Grounds, Bangalore 560 001. Year of Foundation: 1876
Altitude: 870 metres Open: Round the year No. Of Holes: 18 Distance Ladies:
5,414 yards Distance Gentlemen: 6,703 yards Par: 71 Additional Facilities: Bar
and restaurant, conference hall. Accommodation: 10 double rooms, a single room
and a family suite. Closest Town: Bangalore Closest Airport: Bangalore
How to get there By Air: Indian Airlines. Jet Airways By Road: National Highway
By Rail: Major Indian Cities. Climate: Max 28c, Min 14c Clothing: Cottons
The Lal Bagh Gardens to the south of Bangalore, were initially laid out by Haider Ali
but developed by Tipu Sultan. Covering an extensive area of 96 hectares, the
gardens have rare
collections
of tropical and sub tropical plants. Tipu Sultan's palace on Albert Victor Road
was completed in 1791 and closely his palace at Srirangapatnam. The Bangalore
Fort, close to the city, is the one originally built in mud by Kempegowda but
paved in stone by in the 18th century. The city population has a large segment
of leisure seekers, for which the mild climate of Bangalore is amply suited.
With some of the country's best scientific institutions located in the
city, Bangalore's charms have grown way beyond Kempe Gowda's dreams. Bangalore
also presides over a very fascinating state of India, Karnataka, that harbors
a diversity of interests such as the ruins of Vijaynagar, sculptural wonders
of Belur and Halebid, the gigantic mausoleum of Bijapur, the golden sands of
Karavali, the proud hills of Kodagu, the forests of Bandipur, Nagarhole and
Bannerghata, wild and winsome Chikmagalur with its mountains and coffee plantations,
and majestic Mysore. Indian Airlines connects Bangalore with Delhi (2
1/2 hours) Bombay (2 hours) Calcutta (2 1/2 hours), Madras (3/4 hours),
Hyderabad (1 hour), Goa (1 hour),Cochin (1 hour), Coimbatore (3/4 hour), Trivandrum
(1 hour), Ahemedabad (2 hour), and Mangalore (3/4 hour). Bangalore Airport is
8 km from the downtown M.G. Road area. Bangalore, at the junction of National
Highway No. 4, 7 and 48, is connected to all parts of the country with
very good roads. Bangalore has a rich tradition of handicrafts. Mysore silks,
sandalwood, ivory, brass and rosewood inlay, clay toys and Lambani jewellery
are but a few of the specialties that are stocked in the city's emporia.
MYSORE
Started in 1905, the Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar Golf Course is on the Lalitha Mahal
Palace Road, 4 km from Mysore town. The Golf Club took shape only a few
years ago. With about 20 to 30 people playing during the early days, today the
membership is a proud 136. A brown course, the JCW Golf Course is laid out within
the Race Course at Mysore. The size of the course is one hundred acres.
Krishnarajaa
Wadiyar, the Prince of Mysore, started the course and maintained it until he
lost his privy purse. With a par rating of 63 when it was started, it is
70 today. The course is out of bounds during the racing season in Mysore. Not
many local golfers have taken up the game yet, which means that this is one
of the less crowded courses. The maintenance being relatively expensive, no
greens have been laid out. The two major tournaments conducted here are Maharaja's
Tournament and Addicts Golfing Society of Southern India. With its tree-lined
boulevards, beautiful gardens, parks and stately palaces, Mysore is easily accessible
from Bangalore by road. Brindavan Gardens and Krishnarajasagar Dam, 19
km, were made during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, and are well
worth a visit. Some of the important buys from the city are silk fabrics,
sandalwood and rosewood products, brass and wooden toys.
OOTACAMUND
The Ooty golf course follows the soft contours of downland, with its tonsured effect
of tree-bare heights, ringed with gorse and thickly wooded copses of eucalyptus,
oak, rhododendron and fir in the hollows. The thickly wooded Avalanche Range
surrounds the course. The altitude of 7,600 feet, a few degrees above
the equator, provides a combination of light and thin air, which are a near
intoxicant and the ball travels much further than it would in the plains because
of the rarefied atmosphere. The golf course is not only scenic but also quite
trying, and it would be wise for visitor to play only nine of the 18 holes on
the first day. Nine of the 18 holes on the Ooty course are blind in that you
cannot see the green from the tee because of the undulating landscape. Guideposts
fixed on the intervening ridges give the player the necessary directions. The
most grueling hole on this course is the fifth, all uphill and a good 200 feet
higher. But green is rewarding, with a breathtaking view across the hill ranges.
The most green is undoubtedly the 13th. It’s here that the baying of hounds
as he bumps into a foxhunt in progress could interrupt the player. back to 1847,
the Ooty hunt has carried on uninterrupted, and Class I foxhounds and beagles
are still bred and trained here. The Ooty fairways are lush but tight, and the
greens
are
large and well maintained. A unique feature of the Ooty greens is the fencing
that protects them from the wild animals that occasionally stroll on the
course. In fact, a pugmark or a hoof print is a free lift! Where could anyone
play more challenging golf Crowning the Nilgiri Mountains in the south of India
is the town of Ooty, as Ootacamund is more popularly known. Viewed from Coimbatore
(89 km), the blue mountains, as the Nilgiri literally denote, seem to be permanently
enveloped in blue. The large number of gum trees that dot the mountainside could
bring this about, or by the gentle mist, which is so characteristic of the local
weather. Ooty, at an altitude of 2,286 metres, is characterized by gently undulating
downs and neatly planted tea gardens. It was Ooty's Wenlock Downs the caught
the eye of Col. Ross Thompson, who wasted no time in converting the spectacular
area into a golf course, and founded the Ootacamund Gymkhana Club in 1896. The
Wenlock Downs closely resemble the South Downs of Sussex, complete with yellow
flowered prickly gorse bushes. The nearest airport is at Coimbatore, which is
suitably connected to other destinations by Indian Airlines. Transfer from
Coimbatore airport to Ooty is possible by car, bus, or train. There is
yet another approach to Ooty, from Karnataka. The nearest airport on this
route is Mysore. Ooty is connected by a narrow gauge railway service from
mettupalayam, which serves as the railhead for mainline trains. Nilgiri
Express connects the railhead with Madras daily. Ootacamund Gymkhana Club Address:
Ooty Golf Club, Ooty. Year of Foundation: 1896 (Incorporated). Became 'greens'
in 1929. Altitude: 7,600 feet. Open: Round the year No of Holes: 18 Distance
Ladies: 5,125 yards Distance Gentlemen: 6,074 yards Par: 70 Architect: Ross
Thompson Additional Facilities: Bar and restaurant, table tennis, card room,
billiards. Accommodation: Six huts; annex with ten rooms. Closest town : Ooty
2 miles. Closest Airport : Coimbatore, 90 km from Ooty Closest Railway Station
: Meter Gauge Ooty-Mettupalayam. Climate : summer : Max 25c, Min 10c . Winter
Max 21c Min 0c Clothing : Woolens
KODAIKANAL
At an elevation of 6,000 feet in the Palni Hills, surrounded by nutmeg, cinnamon and
pepper groves at Kodaikanal is the Kodaikanal Golf Club. An 18 hole, par 66
course, it is laid over natural grasslands and is criss -crossed by streams.
One of the oldest clubs, the
Kodaikanal
Golf Club was founded in the year 1895 with a paltry 30 members. The fun
loving British were the architects of the course; the course and the clubhouse
are situated on Golflinks Road connecting the Kochi road, near the famous
tourist attraction view point 'Suicide Point' or 'Green Valley View'. The course
with its well-furnished clubhouse recently gave up the 19th hole, for the
license was too costly. Some of the finest greens adorn the course like
emeralds; one can play the full 18 holes here. The spread of the course
is about 150 acres. Today the Kodaikanal Golf Club has a membership of 360.
Upto the year 1980, the course was a brown one, with only 9 holes. It was
in '80 that the construction of the greens and the rest of the nine
holes were taken up. At least 50 tournaments are conducted during the year.
Palani Hill Open, Veday Cup, Contessa Open and A V Thomas Tournament (introduced
recently), are some of the major tournaments generally held between end April
and the beginning of June. A par rating of 72, the course is a long hitting
course. The jungle, which runs very close to the course, attracts wild
animals sometimes.Wild boars are commonly sighted in herds. Tigers used to be
sighted in herds. Tigers used to be sighted near the 6th hole, and the
hole itself is named 'Tigers used to be sighted near the 6th hole, and
the hole itself is named 'Tiger Hole'. Some of the other holes are also given
very interesting names, depending on the challenges they offer the golfer.
The 4th hole is called the Devil's Dip, for the fairway from the tee-box
to the green is a solid dip, which runs on as far as one's
sight can carry. The 12th hole, due to the strenuousness of the walk and the
stroke, is called the 'Cardiac Hole'. A hard hitters' course, the thirteenth green
is not visible from the tee box. The 15th hole, which has the longest yardage
of 587 yards, needs two good shots to sight the green. The entire course
takes about 3 hours to play all the holes. Kodai is 120 km from Madurai, which
is also the nearest airport. This quaint hill resort offers some
unique touristic pleasures. The center of attraction is the star shaped lake
with greenery all around. The banks offer many god picnic spots. Boating
facilities are available, and a walk around the lake is an exhilarating
experience. There are many more vantage points and temples worth seeing in this
hill resort, and one can organize them according to the time one has on hand.
Accommodation at Kodaikanal includes a number of small hotels and resorts being
run by both private entrepreneurs as well as the State Tourism Department.
Golfing Notes Kodaikanal Golf Club Address : Golflinks Road, Kodaikanal.
Altitude : 6,000 feet Open : Round the year except 15 April to 15 June. No of
Holes : 18 Distance : Ladies/Gentlemen 6,122. Par : 71 Closest town : Madurai,
120 km Closest Airport : Madurai, 120 km.
MADRAS (CHENNAI)
The
older of Madras's tow golf courses, the Madras Gymkhana Club was founded
in 1886. Unique in that it is situated with in the 2,400-meter oval of the Guindy
racecourse, it offers a challenging game. The fairways at Guindy are flat
and fast and encircled by the out-of-bounds race track. The greens are
lush and well maintained and also strategically located,mostly along the track.
Hazards on the course include thick roughs, bunkers and water tanks, but unpredictable
obstructions like the racehorses on their workouts. The first hole on this course
is an easy looking par four at 415 yards. it, however, takes a calculated
and well-lofted drive to avoid the bunkers placed on the fairway, 130 yards
from the tee. The second hole is an easy par three at 170 yards,
with tricky green, at a gradient of almost 30 degrees. However, the most
sporting hole on the Guindy course is the third at 512 yards, par five. The
hole doglegs dangerously to the left around a large water tank. The first and
second shot call for a straight and long drive, the third half chip over the
tank brings the green in view. A bunker wickedly traps the green on this hole
in front and rough in the rear, and needs a wheel chipped ball to drop on the
center of the green. The Guindy course, easy as it may seem, requires a firm
hitter and a sure putter to tackle the tough fairways and fast greens. The player
is allowed two preferred fairway lies on the par fives and one on a par four.
The Cosmopolitan Golf Annex at Saidapet has a par 72, 18-hole course. Spread
over an area of 75 acres, a variety of trees run along the fairways which are
tight for the first nine holes but open out for the back nine. Peter Thompson
has redesigned the well-laid cosmopolitan course with a liberal use of
lateral water hazards. The first hole is a 371 yards, par 4, dog leg around
a water tank. It's best to use a three iron to place the ball at the elbow,
which will give you an easy approach
shot.
Like most of the greens on the course, the first is also thick and slow,
and requires firm and sure putts. The fifth hole is a test even for the seasoned
golfer. A 432 yard, par four, it has the tightest fairway, with a thick
row of trees running along on the left and an out-of-bounds fence to the
right. The first drive has to be lofted well over the trees to fade into
the fairway. Within the city a number of sightseeing attractions abound. These
include Kapaleeswarar, an ancient Shiva temple and the largest in Madras;
Santhome Cathedral Church, named after St. Thomas, built in the 14th and 15th
centuries; Fort St. George, built by the East India Co. in 1640 AD, the
first bastion of British power in India; the Theosophical Society,
set in a tranquil spot on the banks of the Adyar river; and Kalakshetra,
devoted to the reviving of classical arts, founded by Rukmini Devi Arundale
in 1936. Madras has excellent deluxe hotels to offer and some of the finest
convention facilities in southern India. With its rich historical
traditions in dance and drama, the city offers unparalleled opportunities
for tourists. Golfing Notes Madras Gymkhana Club Golf Course, Guindy Address
: RaceCourse, Guindy, and Madras. Year of Foundation : 1886 Altitude : Sea level
Open : Round the year ; best season July - October No of Holes : 18 Distance
Ladies : 5,765 yards. Distance Gentleman : 6,325 yards Par : 70 Additional Facilities
: Restricted bar and lounge. Accommodation : In the city Closest Town : Madras
7 km Closest Airport : Madras Airport, International and domestic Closest Railway
Station : Madras Central and Egmore. How to get there : On national highway,
well connected by air and rail. Climate : Max : 37C. Min : 19.8C Clothing :
Light cottons Cosmopolitan Club Golf Annex Address : Saidapet, Madras
Year of Foundation : 1988 Altitude : Sea level Open : Round the year; best season
February No. of Holes : 18 Distance Ladies : 5,863 yards Distance Gentlemen
: 6,859 yards Par : 72 Architect : Peter Thomson Additional Facilities : Bar
and kitchen. Accommodation : Close to Trident Hotel. Closest Town : Madras,
7 km Closest Airport : Madras Closest Railway Station : Madras How to get there
: It is very well connected by road (national highway), air (domestic and international)
and rail. Climate : Max : 37C. Min 19.8C Clothing : Light cottons
HYDERABAD
Hyderabad is a happy choice for golf. The course is spread over 160 acres, founded
in 1888 - making it one of the oldest courses in the world; the subscription
then was the measly sum of one rupee. The golf club was merged with the
Secunderabad recently in 1939, and then brought under the Army's management
in 1983. The old browns have since been converted to regular greens. The
6,434-yard course has two equal halves of 36 strokes each, and holes with historic,
macabre names. The first is named Genesis; the reference is to the Almighty's
effort and not to the pop group. The 12th takes its name from young Winston
Churchill's bungalow near the green. The next is called the Graves, possibly
due to the fact that for the third shot you could use a driver, a wedge or any
one of the clubs in between. there's a par three called Perfection your tee shot
better be just that, otherwise you might land up in the GOC's bungalow,
out of bounds and in a lot of trouble. (Incidentally, the caddies call it Joshi’s
bungalow). An intriguing one is the 14th, which is called Waterloo in memory
of a golfer who took 6 to sink from 2 feet away. However, on the card it's
put down as Water Loo. Of course that could be a reference to the vastly improved
facilities of the course, which is now lush with immaculate greens. The charms
of Hyderabad as a tourist destination are unique. Hyderabad as a tourist
destination is unique. Hyderabad exudes a cultural amalgamation of northern
and southern India. Its language is a curious blend of old Urdu and many
regional languages, spoken with peculiar accent that sets a Hyderabad apart.
Under its rulers, Hyderabad developed a distinct style in almost every fact
its richly flavored cuisine, its etiquette, its handicrafts, its festivals
and fairs which it borrowed from all over the country and abroad, and
then colored in its own hue. Hyderabad is an important center in the air
transport network of south India. Residential areas of the twin cities of Hyderabad/Secunderabad
surround Hyderbad Airport begumpet. It has excellent hotels to offer by way
of accommodation, with the recent addition of eateries and pubs. Hyderabad
is synonymous with pearls. Cultured pearls studded in gold and silver jewellery
of exquisite design are a specialty of the city. Bidriware black metal inlaid
with silver - is another handicraft specialty of the city, and is used to turn
out a variety of decorative items. Glass and studded bangles are
a favorite with women from all over the country.
Golf in Eastern India
KOLKATTA
Like that , of British rule , the first impact of golf in India was felt
in Calcutta. The Royal Calcutta Golf Club, established in 1829, is not
only the oldest golf club in India but also the oldest in the world outside
Great Britain. Originally located near the Calcutta airport, the
club moved to the Maidan and finally to its present location at Tollygunge
in 1910. Meant exclusively for the use of gentlemen, ladies were very
reluctantly admitted to the club in 1886, when the committee voted 43 against
13 on the condition that female members be allowed to use the course only
in the mornings.In 1911 King George V and Queen Mary, who conferred on it the
title of “Royal” to commemorate their visit to Calcutta, honored the club. Much
of the memorabilia connected with the history of the club is still preserved
in the clubhouse.The country over which the Royal Calcutta course is laid
was originally paddy fields, and the course is consequently very
flat. Successive committees have built mounds planted thousands of trees
and shrubs. But the Royal's conspicuous features are its strategically
located water tanks and natural water hazards. The most significant are
the two large tanks across the tenth fairway, a 457 yards, par four hole.
From the tee, the tiger line is over the first tank and must carry all
of 230 yards. The safer route to the right leaves a very long second shot
over the second tank, a good 100 yards wide, to a small undulating green
wickedly trapped all around. The out-of-boundary wall dangerously hugs the
entire left flank of this hole.Greens at Royal are small by modern standards,
but undulations make them tricky, and there is a little nap. From the tee
the course looks deceptively easy, but its strength lies in its par fours, and
to score requires good long and medium irons. While Delhi lays a premium
on accurate driving, it is the second shot irons, which pay off at Royal
Calcutta.The Royal Calcutta also has a Bowling Green section, founded in the
early 19th century. Here members can indulge in bowling their woods along
the grass in an attempt to get close to 'jack' the little white ball
immortalized by Sir Francis Drake. Just across the road from the Royal
Calcutta is the Tollygunge Club. The extensive grounds of the club were
originally an indigo plantation, laid out in 1781. In 1895, Sir William
Cruikshank, a banker of repute and a keen sportsman, acquired the estate
from Prince Ghulam Mohammad, the son of Tipu Sultan, and founded the Tollygunge.Besides
maintaining an 18-hole golf course, the Tollygunge Club also pioneered equestrian
sports, and steeple chasing and show jumping are still held annually at
the club.The 100 acre club grounds boast an enviable collection of flowering
trees and tropical plants which have bee brought from as far afield as
Australia and South America. The foliage provides a home for a number of
species of exotic birds.The par 71 course at Tollygunge is fairly easy to tackle
but for the large number of water hazards. The fairways are lush green
and wide, and the greens well maintained and easy to read. A particularly
difficult hole is the 321 yards, par four fourteenth, also known as 'Hydrophobia'.
The player has to cross over a large water tank, built by Prince Ghulam
Mohammad and filled with water lilies, to approach the green on the other
side. A miscalculated or over swung drive could easily land the ball in
the tank or the out-of-bonds area. The dog legged seventh, also called
'Devil's Elbow', is 491 yards, par five over a large water body. No account
of golf in Calcutta can be complete without a mention of the Calcutta Ladies
Golf Club. The Club is unique not only because of the fact that it has
only women members, but that the club houses is on wheels. In 1891, a group
of ladies led by a Mrs. Peddler could no longer take the humiliation of not being
allowed to play at will at the Royal and Tollygunge clubs. They approached
the local authorities, which allowed them to lay a nine-hole course on the
Maidan, provided they did not construct any permanent structures. The ingenuous
ladies overcame this condition by constructing a clubhouse on wheels
which could be moved if the army authorities at Fort William so desired. The
nine hole par 68 course now has a hundred members, and men can only play
here as their guests. Whether it is the monumental architecture of the General
Post Office you admire, or the Corinthian facade of Writers Building, there's
enough in between to show you the monumental majesty of the city of Calcutta.
In the heart of the city is Fort William, out of bounds for visitors, but
it is surrounded by the Maidan all around where sporting Calcutta
is at her best. In this expanse of green is the Victoria Memorial,
the British Taj Mahal built in memory of Queen Victoria and now symbolic
of the city's brief alliance with the British Raj. Golfing Notes
Royal Calcutta Golf Club Address : 18 Golf Club Road Open : Round the Year No.
of Holes : 18 Distance Ladies : 6,827 yards Distance Gentlemen : 7,189 yards
Par : Ladies - 72, Men - 73. Additional Facilities : Bar and dining, swimming
pool, bowling, tennis. Tollygunge Club Address : 120, Deshpran Sasmal Road Open
: Round the Year ; best season Oct. -Mar No. of Holes : 18 Distance Ladies :
5,686 yards Distance Gentlemen : 6,520 yards Par : 71 Additional Facilities
: Bar and Catering, Card room, tennis, squash, swimming, billiards, riding and
piano. Accommodation : 18 rooms How to Get There : By Air : Domestic
and International, By Road : On the national highway, By Rail : Eastern Railways
Climate : Max. 30C Min. 14C
SHILLONG
Close to the Polo Ground is one of the most attractive locales of the town,
the Shillong Golf Club. Golf was introduced to Shillong in 1898 by a group
of British Civil Service officers who initially constructed a nine-hole
course at an area called Laban. It was only after the first world war the
Shillong gained popularity as a golf resort for European golfers
from East Bengal and Calcutta, and in 1924 the present 18 hole course with
its picturesque club house was inaugurated. Capt. Jackson and C.K. Rhodes,
who were remarkably successful in preserving the natural beauty of the area
while giving it an excellent layout, did the layout of the new course. The course
is set in an undulating valley covered with thick groves of pine and rhododendron
trees. The tight fairways are carpeted with an indigenous species of local grass,
which hardens the soil and makes the course tough to play. The longest hole
on the course is the 594 yards, sixth, which makes it an extremely trying hole,
and also one of the longest in India. The tight fairways are difficult to negotiate
in any case, but the number of ‘out-of-bounds’ makes the task even more trying
streams that criss-cross almost every fairway. Most of the approaches are uphill
shots, and even veterans opt to play safe. The greens are as challenging as
the fairways. They are lightning fast and are invariably trapped by heavy sand
bunkers. The 372 yards, par five, ninth hole is a dogleg, and one of the most
picturesque on the course. The tee off is from a pine grove elevated some 200
feet above the fairway. The tiger line is onto a steep ridge and to the
left of the single pine tree, which demarcates the common eighth and ninth fairway.
The second shot is placed into the elbow of the dogleg, which is in a valley,
and from where the green is now visible on a hillock ahead. The third
stroke has to be lofted to gain height as well as negotiate the tight fairway.
It requires a good chip and a lucky putt to get a par on this hole, as
the area around the green is uneven, and the green itself extremely fast.
Not only is the Shillong course scenic and enjoyable, it's also challenging. Obstructions
don't come only in the form of bunkers and trees, but also rain.Shillong is
just 56 km from the wettest place in the world! The capital of the state of
Meghalaya, Shillong, as one of the outposts of the British in the northeast
of India, has been the meeting point of traditional cultures and cosmopolitan
styles. It's the hole of the fun loving Khasi tribals who follow the traditional
matriarchal system of society and still don their native attire. Shillong,
as one of India's best-known hills resorts for many decades, has its own charms
and attractions- and its own following of regular seasonal visitors. Located
56 km from Cherrapunjee, the wettest place in the world with the highest
recorded rainfall, Shillong is set amidst a landscape covered with heather
and pine forests which supports a variety of flowering orchids. There are a
number of interesting sights to visit within the town : Ward's Lake, Lady Hydari
Botanical Park, several waterfalls, the Museum of History and Ethnography,
and St. Paul's Cathedral - one of the oldest places of Christian worship
in India. Often likened to Scotland, it has rolling hills, heather covered slopes,
beautiful waterfalls, moving mists, silent lakes and rich and unique varieties
of flora and fauna. Foreign visitors require a clearance from the Ministry
of Home Affairs. The Umiam Lake, 15 km from the city, has boating and watersports
facilities, besides a floating restaurant and accommodation in Orchid Lodge.
There is a health resort near Crinoline Waterfalls. Shillong is connected
by air with nearby Guwahati, 37 km away. there are frequent bus and taxi
services that connect the two cities. Accommodation is available in the city
at a number of clean and modest hotels, including that run by ITDC and
the state government. Cane, bamboo and wooden handicraft items, shawls
and fabrics are the main buys of the city. All emporia are located
in the downtown area. Golfing Notes Shillong Golf Club Address : Polo Ground,
Shillong. Year of Foundation : 1898 - 9 holes. 1924 became 18 holes course.
Altitude : 1496 MSL Open : Round the year No. of Holes : 18 Distance Ladies
: 5,231 yards Distance Gentlemen : 5,873 yards Par : 70 Architect : Capt. Jackson
Additional Facilities : Bar and cafeteria Accommodation : In the city Closest
Town : Shillong Closest Airport : Shillong via Guwahati from Calcutta by Indian
Airlines. Closest Railway Station : Guwahati. How to Get There :
By Road : Guwahati 103 km, Climate : summer : Max. 23.3C, Min. 15C. Winter
: Max. 15.6C Min. 3.9C Clothing : Light woolens. Winter : Heavy woolens. Facilities
Should you seek any special assistance, in most cases the secretary of the
club you are playing in will be able to advise and assist you. It is wise to
remember that though some clubs have facilities for golfers who wish to stay
on the premises, the number of rooms are limited and must, therefore, be booked
in advance. It may be more practical to stay in city and resort hotels that
are available in a wide range, and generally have an extensive variety of services
to offer. For commuting between the hotel and the golf club, any of a choice
of transport may be utilized. This may include deluxe tourist cars, yellow-top
taxis and inexpensive autorickshaws. Caddy services are usually available
locally, and most clubs offer a temporary membership that may cost as little
as a dollar as two. At certain courses, an introduction by a member
may be necessary, should you wish to play golf at that particular course. Also,
membership may be restricted or a little extra on weekends. Several of the clubs
also house a bar and catering facilities where basic meals and snacks, Indian
and Continental, can be enjoyed at far lower prices than at restaurants. Golfing
in India, in fact, probably comes cheaper than anywhere else in the world!
As a handling agents in India organize golfing tours which can include friendly
matches with golfing members of the club on payment of green fees etc.
We can also arrange for cocktail parties after friendly matches so that visiting
golfers have opportunities of meeting socially with their Indian counterparts.
Special golfing itineraries can be tailored exclusively to meet your needs.
Golf in Western India
A number of opportunities for golf exist in Western India. Bombay, the gateway city,
provides excellent opportunities for playing golf. Pune has a few golf courses
and facilities are being fast developed in cities like Goa, which are already
firmly established as tourist centers. Western India has traditionally been
the foremost entry point into India. Along with its many tourist attractions including
Aurangabad and the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, golf is fast catching up as
an additional bonus.
BOMBAY (MUMBAI)
For the Bombay golfer, fresh air and greenery is more accessible. The 110-acre Bombay
Presidency Golf Club at Chembur is a green haven amidst a concrete jungle.
Founded in 1827, the par 70, 18 hole course was redesigned by Peter Thompson
to international standards. Presidency's fairways are narrow and tight,
but its greens are undoubtedly the best in the country. The real test at Presidency,
however, is the variable and shifting sea breeze, which could fox even
the most experienced player. it is not a difficult course; it's not to long,
not too narrow, and yet not an easy course to break par. The fifth hole
is one of the most challenging on this course : a 480 yard, par five, a
dog leg to the right, with a fairway trap strategically placed to catch the
long hitter trying to cut the corner. The drive on this has to be placed
carefully. If too long and pulled, it would end up in deep trouble. With
a well-placed drive around the fairway bunker, the hole, in spite of the
two overhanging trees on the right, is a comfortable par five. The 416
yard, par four 11th hole is also a test of precision golfing. The player has
to steer his drive through trees overhanging on either side, a short distance from
the tee. The fairly tight fairway has thick scrub and trees on the left, a water
hazard and an out-of-bounds on the right with perhaps the trickiest and fastest
green of this course. With the pin placed towards the left edge, the approach
would roll off into the thick roughs, and not even a miracle would allow a
par. Of the par threes, the 17th hole is the longest at 218 yards. The green
is deceptive with deep bunkers on either side, and the rippled fairway can make
a loose tee shot veer sharply. Besides the Bombay Presidency Golf Club,
Bombay also has two other courses at the Bombay Willingdon Club and the
United Services Club. Visitors are, however, restricted at both and need
an introduction. Bombay, located on India's beautiful west coast, is the hub
of its commercial activity. Bombay's natural harbor handles 40 per cent
of the country's maritime trade. Stretching 35 km into the Arabian
Sea, the metropolis is a collection of seven islands that have been
interconnected by land reclamation. Much of Bombay's construction was inspired
by the School of Art set up by Rudyard Kipling's father to promote the
skills of the local artisans. Prominent English building in the city include
the Old Secretariat and the Public Works Department building, put up in
1867-74 by Col. Orel Henry St. Claire Wilkins in what was then known as
the "High Victorian Gothic Style" The popular Crawford Market
was designed by William Emerson and decorated with bas relief by J. Kipling.
The Flora Fountain, a crowded landmark in the city, was built in honour
of Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere, governor of Bombay, who was responsible
for building the new Bombay of the 1860s. Bombay is India's chief gateway for
most visitors, and has a vast network of airline services that link it
internationally to all parts of the globe. The Gateway of India remains
the most enduring symbol of the city, a splendid arch by the sea's edge built
in 1927 to commemorate the visit of Britain's King George V and Queen Mary for
the 1911 Delhi Durbar. An hour's ride by boat from the Gateway will take you
to the Elephanta Island, where caves have been hollowed out and sculpted. British
symbols qualify Bombay's history, their hallmark of Indo-Sara-cenic architecture
represented in such buildings as the Bombay High Court, the Old Secretariat,
and the University Buildings that include Jehangir Hall. Some delightful beaches
edge in Bombay. In the heart of the city is Chowpatty, while the suburbs
have Juhu, both evening fairgrounds with local entertainment and
a taste of Bombay. Further out of Bombay are such fine beaches as Gorai, Marve,
Manori and Madh. Bombay has an active interest in the arts, and exhibitions
of the latest contemporary works by renowned painters and sculptors are
a constant feature of its cityscape. Excursions from Bombay include Ellora,
30 km from Aurangabad, a sickle-shaped hill known for its temples are a unique
work of art, reflecting centuries of devotion encapsulated in the 29 caves that
overlook a wide, horse shoe shaped gorge that falls steeply down to touch a
mountain stream hundreds of feet below.
PUNE
Poona Club Golf Course is one of the oldest golf courses in India, situated within
half an hour's drive from major industrial areas of Pune and very close to the
airport and the railway station. Though the course is within 5 minutes drive from
the city, it is in a quiet area. The courses spread over 90 acres of land,which
is the largest in the Western Region. The exact date of establishment is now
known, but based on available records, tournaments were being played since 1920,
the first being the RWITC CUP (Royal Western India Turf Club Cup).Originally
the course was spread over nearly 135 acres of land, part of which was later
taken over by the Government for housing development.When the British left India,
Poona Club was thinking of giving up the golf grounds, but thanks
to a handful of golfing enthusiasts, the course still exists and over 30,000
trees have been planted since the course was replayed between 1980-85 during
the captainship of the late Mr. C.S. Kirloskar.Competitive golf is played throughout
the year and over 30 tournaments are held, the most prestigious being the
Maharashtra Amateur Open Golf being played since 1957, in which leading
amateur golfers from all over India participate.There are four golf courses
in Pune, but the Poona Club Golf Course is the only course available to
all golfers, including foreign visitors. The weather being cool and pleasant,
golf is enjoyed throughout the year, unlike at many other places Pune being
a major industrial town and close to Bombay, the flow of visitors is continuing
all the time.The present Golf Committee has embarked upon a major task of renewing
the golf course. It is planned to relay the course and raise it to international standards.
Plans include converting all the browns into greens and construction of
proper turfed fairways with modern irrigation systems and beautiful landscaping
with more ornamental trees. One of the fastest growing cities in Maharashtra,
Pune gives the tourist a good idea of the dualities present in modern India.
On the one hand it is booming with streamlined contemporary architecture
and restaurants, shops and hotels that would seem more at home in the industrialized
West ; on the other, the city holds on zealously to its active Indian culture
and the historic heritage handed down by its erstwhile Maratha rulers.
It is easily accessible from Bombay, the closest metro city by air, road
and rail. Golfing Notes Poona Golf Club Open : Round the year (Monday
closed) No. of Holes : 18 (1 to 17 browns; 18 - green). Only 9 holes open for
play during 1993 Distance Gentlemen : 6,198 yards Distance Ladies : 5,488 yards.
Par : 71 Additional Facilities : Snacks, Beer. Climate : summer : Max 25C Min.
10C winter : Max 21C, Min 0C.
