An Island in the Sea of Development

Would you believe if I said that 84 acres of green land exits in the heart of Mumbai? I would bet that more than half would laugh, and still others would wonder if one is talking about the same city. Over the years India’s maximum city has expanded so quickly that people have forgotten that there were empty lands once upon a time. However these oasis of green do exist, in the form of the Bombay Presidency Golf Course.

The golf course is located in Chembur, near the Diamond Garden. The course features relatively wide rolling fairways, and reasonably fast greens.  The grass is pas palim on the greens as well as the fairways.  Pas palim is unique as it is a salt water grass it also has a rich green color (it is possible to see shadows of the mowing on the fairways and the green), which is important to the golf club. The golf club also offers carts for hire (they are available at 500 for 18 holes and 250 for 9), however for seniors carts are available at 250 for 18 and 125 for 9. The course also offers caddies at 200 for an 18 hole round, if they are unavailable one has the option at using a trolley for free. Either way a trolley is available on hire for Rs. 50 for the round.

The Club House of Bombay Presidency Golf Club

This golf club is primarily a tournament course, and features at least one tournament a week, be it a club event or a local sponsored event, and even a professional event. The golf course is a par 72, and features multiple doglegged holes, that demand prudent second shots form the golfer. Any wayward shots end up OB, so it is important to be selective where one decides to pull out the driver.  The course offers junior coaching programs for the 'younger' members; members have access to a well qualified teaching staff, with two class A teaching pros. Accessing the golf course is also relatively easy, as it is just off the eastern express highway, or if coming from the station it is a very short auto ride away. Busses are also available, however no AC bus stops outside the golf club. The club also offers accommodation on site for out of town visitors, at Rs. 3924 for a regular room. Green fees vary for guests and members. For guests it depends on the affiliated club and the reciprocal arrangement that was established. Walk on guests are not permitted at the course.

Hole No.1 at Bombay Presidency Golf Club

The club has some very strict rules about guests, and this could be choking the development of the game in the region. This is because it reduces the number of individuals who have access to the club, and thus makes it difficult for people to take an interest in the game, because first they need a membership which is either non existent in some clubs, or would cost them Rs.28, 00,000! Could the be a reason why golf is not a very popular sport in India? There has to be a change, a maximum city cannot have minimum golf courses.