My Visit to Mercara Downs Golf Club

Only  20 minutes from the heart of Madikere in Kodagu, the Mercarra Downs Golf Club is one of the regions more popular golfing destinations aside from the Coorg Golf Links. In fact a majority of the planter members have a routine where they play golf at different clubs on particular days of the week. This golf course has the distinction of being the first 18-hole golf course in the region and remains the popular choice for golfing enthusiasts there.

A view of the many elevated greens on the golf course

The course is very wide and features no hazards. For the most part there is hardly a tree in sight. There are markings and local rules in place to ensure golfers do not misuse the preferred lie option. The greens are small and the grass is a Bermuda variant. A zoysia type of grass is found on the fairways but this is a mutated version and is more native than other purer variants. The benefit of these grasses is that they are hardy and can withstand some of the trying weather conditions faced in the region during winter. Though the golf course is bordered by dense forest, most of the holes are wide open. The course is a little drier than most, and utilizes rain water harvesting as well as four large artificial tanks created specifically for the purpose. Therefore the greens and most fairways remain relatively greener than most clubs even in the summer months.

Some stunning scenery as one plays

Being one of the early golf clubs in the region this course has set the standard for golf here. Many of the older planters who have gone on to become founder members of other clubs in the region, began playing at this golf club. In recent years many planters have been able to afford to send their children to the metros for education. This has resulted in a reduced interest in the sport from the younger generation as they spend more time away. It would be in the interest of the game for local clubs to affiliate with golf courses in the metros, in order to provide Coorg youngsters the option to keep up with their game. It could also bring youngsters from the metros for golfing camps to Coorg, ensuring footfalls at the club even during the lean months.

In South India alone there are at least 12 golf clubs that are over 100 years old Mercara Downs included. It is critical to preserve this history as attains its prominence in the world of sport in India.  

My Visit to the Coorg Golf Links

Nestled amongst the quiet plantations of the Kodagu (Coorg) country side is the Coorg Golf Links. This golf course is a semi private association golf course. It is also one of the few 18-hole golf courses in the region. It is very picturesque, surrounded rolling hills on all four sides. This golf course one of the newest in the region and was developed by enthusiastic local planter golfers with a passion for the sport.

A View of the finishing hole on the course

Founded in 1990 this course flourished becoming one of the more popular golf courses in the region. The fairways are very well maintained and feature a Bermuda grass as used on the greens. For the most part the course is flat but the raised greens and tight fairways demand prudent play from even the most accomplished club golfer. All in all the round is very enjoyable and offers a good combination of holes that could torment or please the average golfer. Though the golf course did not originally have a water hazard, the management is in the process of correcting this by creating a large tank on the 15^th hole in the back nine.  

The spectacular views of the mountains with the mist rolling in, make a very beautiful backdrop. Coorg is known across India for its coffee estates unique culture and cuisine. With courses such as this, it is possible that Coorg can become a popular destination for a quiet golfing getaway. Of course Coorg will be competing with Ooty for this space, but it does have the benefit of appearing less crowded and developed due to the large plantations and forests. The only drawback is the location; it is in Virajpet, almost 45 minutes from Madikere, the capital of Coorg district.

The mountains with the mist rolling in...

Being relatively tucked away six hours from Bangalore coorg is one of karnatakas best kept secrets. However, with the explosion of tourism flowing out of Bangalore Madikere is becoming a destination for the discerning. The landscape is changing faster than it can be protected, causing the planters to band together to preserve coorg and its natural beauty. I believe that golf can exist within a local ecology and maintain a positive balance between modern and old world charm. As the planters who developed the Coorg Golf Links have shown, golf is not only about green carpets and rolling hills. Golf was always meant to be played in natural surroundings working with the local geography.

This trip throws up more ideas to what is possible and I eagerly await my next visit. As my journey to Virajpet draws to a close, I am saddened that I had only one day here. I find myself promising to return and become lost once again in the aromas of freshly roasted coffee and beautiful scenery. Next stop the oldest golf course in Coorg Mercarra Downs.