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.