A very Interesting Golf Course....

Wellington is a small quiet outpost just outside the busy town of Conoor in the Nilgiris Mountains. This area of lush jungle provides a reprieve for residents who like a place of natural beauty reminiscent of what hill stations used to be. Earlier the area was occupied by plantation owners, and a small section of British troops. Along with them came some traditional British pass times, including golf.

The Wellington golf course was set up differently from other courses I have seen. It was a joint development between the plantation owners and the troops stationed there. The army provided the land and the plantation owners helped to develop and maintain the golf course. What makes this unique is that years after the British have left, this partnership continues. It is one of the few army courses that allow civilians to play and remain as members. Over the years the troops stationed here have greatly reduced, and only the Officers Academy remains.

Some Golfers hiking up to the Green 

It is evident that the course grew organically, as more land became available in response to demand and the number of players. This golf course is mostly a par 3 course, with a few par 4s and one par five. What is curious about this golf course is the design. It is quite evident that there was no prior planning for the interlinking of holes, and access, and comfort for the golfer. At some points one has to walk almost 300m     (through the college, across a road), to access the next hole. The course features some unique greens that are nearly vertical with steep inclines to get to them, which is a huge challenge and a great workout to get to the hole.

All said and done, it was fun to play to play here. It is unfortunately not a recognized golf course because of its design and shorter length of the holes. But as a fun round there is really nothing better. The course is kept in decent repair, with the greens protected through the year. The fairways have lost the original grass and are over run by a local zoysia variant which is more of a weed, but it is mowed down well enough to provide the golfer with a decent lie.

Another difference is that guests are allowed to use the clubhouse and play for a reasonable fee (not so in other nearby courses). Over the years the club has begun to limit the number of new members particularly civilians. This is unfortunate because this golf course displayed a unique relationship between the army and civilians; which I feel can be adapted to other army courses throughout India.

Wide Fairway, Beautiful Mountains.... Must be heaven

There are currently a little over 200 courses in India, and the army owns more than 50% of them. My thought is that the army can continue to own the course but the management can be outsourced to civilians in a partnership arrangement. This would keep the courses alive and promote the game as well. The critical part in all this is the willingness of the military to participate in such activities and their interest in developing sports such as golf. Thus far the military has been very possessive of the land they control and want to limit civilian interaction. I hope the day will come when civilians and the military can join forces in the interest to develop the greatest game ever played.