The second stop on my trip to
Pune took me to one of the newest luxury developments in the region, the Oxford
Golf and Country Club. This project is located 5 km away from the city and
covers approx 1100 acres of land. It marks the first major development that is close
to the city of Pune (The Sahara Amby Valley is 1.5 hours away from Pune). This
project envisages a large number of villas and bungalows that will surround the
golf course, with some even nestled in the surrounding hills. The project shall
also feature a five star hotel and one of the largest club houses in India on
over 10,000 sqft.
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| One of the many tough bunkers on the course |
Although in its early stage,
with only the golf course completed, it is truly spectacular as it is situated
on the slopes that surround the Symbiosis Campus. The course is very tight and
the greens are quick which make a deadly combination. However a few holes are
wide and flat, offering some respite for the golfer. There are numerous sand
traps both on the fairways and the green, requiring a solid mid iron game. The
course features a Pas Palim grass though the green that is well maintained by a
comprehensive and mechanized course maintenance department.
The style of golf on the
course is different, where only carts are used and no walking is allowed (the
golf course does offer caddies and fore caddies). The main reason for this was
the length of the holes and the distances between greens and subsequent tees being
greater than most courses. This style of golf is new with only a few golf
courses moving in this direction and it remains to be seen how successful this
will be. So far this course has 65 carts and plans add at least another 50 by
the end of the year. So, as one can imagine, playing the course is on the expensive
side, with green fees at Rs.3000 for a guest in addition to Rs.1000 for the
cart and Rs.250 for the caddie.
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| An Aerial View of the Oxford Golf Course |
The Oxford Golf Club
showcases a new style of golfing development that is becoming more popular in
India. It is and a move away from the traditional stand alone courses. However,
these projects continue to make golf more exclusive especially with the higher
green fees. Unfortunately, creating a golf course requires high capital cost
that can only be offset if there is another activity taking place on the land
besides golf. Developments such as these showcase the potential for golf in the
Indian market. Golf is a new idea, a new concept and it is difficult to predict
what shape or form the industry will take. Here, golf is being used to project
a lifestyle that is very different to what I experienced at the Pune Club golf
course.
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| Surrounded by the Mountains... |
This development, unlike the
Pune Club is very new; 2-3 years old. it is just building a reputation and an
image for itself, something the Pune Club course has been able to achieve by
sheer dint of being around longer. As
the project continues to take shape, I am sure it will carve out a niche for
itself in the Indian golf industry. I am very keen to observe the future of
this course as it sets the bar high for new courses in India. In the coming
months the massive club house will be completed as well as ground breaking for
the hotel and other facilities. This poses some very real competition for the
likes of Aamby Valley.
The bar just keeps being
raised as I visit more courses throughout this beautiful country.
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