Arnold Palmer Design Company in India

After a gap of more than 30 years, the Arnold Palmer group has decided to re-enter the region through its Design Company. They have appointed Liam Timms as their South Asian Director that covers the territories of India, Bangladesh, Sri lanka and Nepal.

The only golf course built in South Asia by the group is the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon, Haryana. The 18-hole signature course was built in the late 1980’s however, the company felt the market was very new and did not actively pursue more projects in the region. After the economic slowdown in 2008 the golf industry faced a major setback in America with many golf course closures and reduced demand for new golf courses. This has forced many of the marquee names to look outside their home market for development projects and other initiatives.

It is with this mindset that Arnold Palmer Design Company has entered the region again. The group believes that going forward just like the success they had with China, India can follow in the same way. India is not just a potential market for golf courses but also a huge market for the many other services under the ‘umbrella’ of the Arnold Palmer Group.

In an unprecedented move to mark their commitment in the region, the Palmer Foundation, Chaired by Mr. Palmer and his daughter, has decided to support the Sports Authority of India in the First National Golf Academy in Trivandrum. This is the first of many new initiatives by the company and goes a long way to show the long-term commitment the company has for the region and the country.

It is indeed a huge privilege and responsibility to be part of this company in its foray into the market and leading its activities here. I am very excited about what this mean for the golf industry of India. But what is immensely satisfying to see is this groups commitment extends beyond just golf courses. Welcome to India….  The King of Golf…!

My visit to the Bhubaneshwar Golf Club

Bhubaneshwar is another fast growing Teir-2 city of India. Located in Orissa, this city truly is a  shining examples of well planned infrastructure and growth. This city is poised to explode, the infrastructure is truly spectacular, with most major roads in the city upgraded to a dual carriage way. Traffic is orderly and free flowing due to the more accommodating wider roads. Currently the city is adding numerous flyovers to ease the traffic further. It is not surprising to see that many companies are choosing to setup here. Already Wipro and Infosys have large campuses in the city and many more IT giants are sure to follow.

Over the years the city added sporting facilities to balance out the heavy investment into infrastructure. It is not surprising that out of this the Bhubaneswar Golf Club was born. The story of this club is fascinating. It was founded in the 80’s by enterprising and enthusiastic golfers of Bhubaneswar. The first location of the golf course was around the runway of the Bhubaneswar airport, because the land became available and hardly any flights arrived at Bhubaneswar in those days. However as the city grew it was no longer feasible to be located at a place where ‘movable obstructions’ were planes…! so the club decided to find a more permanent address.

The course has 9 greens that can be repeated from a different set of tees to provide the golfer with 18 holes. The course was designed and built by the same group of golfers at the new location away from the city. The holes have some blind tee shots and some long par 4 that make for an enjoyable round of golf overall. The grass is a local variety chosen to withstand the harsh summers. The greens are hard and severely pitch marked which make putting a very irritating affair. All in all the average golfer can have an enjoyable round and that is the broad aim of the promoters of the golf club.

Though this is not a complete 18 hole golf course it is still quite popular with the players from the city. Its location is a drawback; almost 20 km away from the city center. There are talks on to try and extend the golf course to 18 holes so that it will be on par with other urban golf facilities in the country. I thought this small 9-hole golf course is ideal for such smaller cities, as it not only takes up less space, but also can be used effectively to train and build interest in the game.

It is my hope that more tier 2 cities can follow this pattern and build more 9-hole courses. These are easy to setup with less land requirement reducing the cost of development. This can allow many more government agencies and sporting authorities to consider establishing golfing facilities as part of their sport development programs. In the future 9 hole golf courses will become the most cost effective way for the sport to develop in India.

Golfing in Jamshedpur

When people speak of the city of Jamshedpur they usually only have the Tata industry in mind. The city was founded around the Tata Steel plant and the Tatas have played a very active role in the growth and the development of the city. Jamshedpur was one of the first private cities in this respect and is one of the finest examples of corporate social responsibility in our time. Through the years the Tata Company never forgot the importance of the city and always put the good of society before the good of the organization. In fact it is this attitude that sets the Tata’s apart from other large business houses in India.

In spite of its size Jamshedpur still boasts of two well-designed golf courses, the Beldhi Club Golf Annex and the Golmuri Golf Club. The older Beldhi golf course is a nine hole facility. The Golmuri Golf Course was recently extended to 18 holes and features wide fairways. It is located on land that was part of the Tata Tin Plate Factory. However, the roughs are  treacherous and a ball in there would almost certainly be a ‘lost ball’. The course features a Bermuda variant on both fairways and greens. The greens are quite large, with only some holes severely sloped. The greens are generally on the slower side, except for tournaments where the greens stimp at nearly 10.  There are not too many hazards on this course, but it should not deceive the golfer into over confidence. The thick roughs demand accurate drives and prudent approach shots are needed to ensure a par on all holes. Perhaps the most distracting feature on this course is the High Tensions cables that run across the fairways.

The golmuri golf course and the Beldhi golf course provide valuable lungs for the fast expanding city. Sadly I believe the glory days of the Tatas involvement in the city are drawing to a close. The old well-designed streets that people imagine are only found in pockets of the city and it now resembles any crowded and bustling, fast developing city in India. The only difference is the solid foundation in terms of essential services and town planning that were put in place by the Tatas. In this respect it remains as a true testament to what can be achieved if the private and the public sector in India worked together for the greater good.

As this section of my journey draws to a close, I reflect on what I have seen. It is very clear that golf as a game is only partially developed in these two cities.  A common feature of both the golf course I visited was inactivity in the afternoons, uncharacteristic of any other urban golf course. Another is the investment in large driving ranges on these courses that eventually end up inadequately utilized by members or the community. I feel this has to change. The golf courses need to open their doors to the community to draw in new players and interested youth and organize special programs which will fully untilize the down time of the facilities.  

I feel the future of golf depends upon how effectively courses like the Golmuri and the East point golf Course encourage participation from the community to promote the game. If they began to utilize the valuable resource for promotion and growth of the game rather than narrow commercial interests, I believe this could bring about a positive change for the game in India.

The final stop on this journey is Bhubaneshwar and the newly created Bhubaneshwr Golf Club.

The East Point Golf Club

A view of the City

Vishakapatnam (Vizag) is a port city and after Nagapatnam and Chennai it is considered one of the important commercial and naval ports on Indias eastern seaboard. It is the second largest city in Andhra Pradesh, but, unusualy for a city this size, it has only one golf course.

The East Point Golf course is nestled in the foothills of the Eastern Ghats, approximately 20 minutes from the city center. The views from the golf club are spectacular as the golf course is enclosed on three sides by dense forest. With this backdrop and a cool breeze from the sea wafting through, it sets the stage for a memorable round.The golf course is currently being renovated and the management is introducing automatic sprinklers which will benefit the fairways during the harsh summer months.

Some of the Wide Fairways on the Course

The course features a native grass mixed with crab grass on the fairways. These grasses are hardy and require less maintenance. The greens are a local Bermuda variant. They are not very fast, but as they are small, they can be difficult and force accurate approach shots from the golfer. On the whole this golf course is not very challenging with wide fairways that do not severely punish wayward shots. The exception is some awkwardly situated trees on some fairways that force safe play. The lower handicapped golfer would not be greatly tested by the layout and a below par score can be expected.

I feel the course though not very challenging to play, has captured the essence of what most club golfers expect. In recent times golf course designers have begun to create courses that are extremely tough; in fact there is a common fallacy ‘the tougher the course the better it is’. This is not always so. The early proponents of this game intended that golf should primarily be enjoyed by the players. I believe there is a need to have golf courses such as this to encourage players and new individuals to take up the sport.

A view of the 18th Green and Club House

Having said this what is clear is the lack of regular golfers that has leading to the unkempt condition of this course. Currently the course only receives play during the morning sessions and the weekends. After the morning session (during the week) the course is empty. As it is the only golf course in the city this is uncharacteristic. Further the East Point Golf Club boasts of the only full driving range in the area. 

I believe this golf course is perfectly poised to create a program that introduces people to the game. This program could encourage individuals to participate in summer programs, or sign up to utilize only the driving range (driving range membership). The easier golf course would make it fun for new learners and at the same time give proficient golfers the thrill of scoring well. The East Point golf course can make a positive mark on the industry in the region if only it can look beyond being an exclusive ‘member-only’ golf club.

I eagerly await what Jamshedpur has in store for me. 

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.

My Journey to Explore Golf Courses in the North: The Delhi Golf Club

A View of the Fairway on the Golf Course 

Arguably one of India’s most prestigious golf clubs, the Delhi Golf Club plays an important role in India’s golf industry. From hosting some of the biggest professional tournaments in India and many junior tournaments, the Delhi Golf Club has seen the game grow to the level it is at today. The Delhi Golf Club is located on Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg in Delhi and is one of the lungs of the city. Many years ago, this area was a very thick jungle with dense undergrowth. Once it was allocated for the development of a golf course by the Delhi Development Authority and this area was cleared, many old tombs were discovered dating back 200 years or more. These are now a unique sight on the course.

A perfect blend of history and golf 

Today the Delhi Golf course is spectacular with its lush green fairways and the monuments, which are an integral part of the landscape. All the monuments are managed by the Archeological Survey of India and add a magnificent setting to this golf course. The holes are very well laid out, and provide a good challenge to most golfers. The fairways are tight and some holes slope severely to the left into the ‘woods’. Almost all the fairways are lined by these thick ‘woods’ and a ball entering them generally results in declaration of  a lost ball. The greens on the golf course are surprisingly quick and narrow. The par 3 17^th hole is an example of one such deceptive green. 

The Delhi Golf Club features two golf courses, the Lodhi Course which is the main golf course and the Peacock Golf Course which is a par 3 executive golf course. This is a very novel idea as it allows people to have a short round if they so desire and also allows coaches to conduct their on-course demonstrations without disturbing the regular play.

Interspersed with monuments, peacocks and beautiful natural foliage this golf course is truly a feast for the senses. Because this course has such a long history with the game in India, it has an important role to play in the development of new talent in the game. At the end of the day it should never be about your club versus mine, the interest in the game needs to be foremost. The courses of old have a huge role to play in this. There is need for coordination between the old and the new golf courses in India to recognize new talent, share resources and best practices  in order for the game to be promoted. As a recognized venue of international events it can lead the way in setting standards for other golf courses, so that many more Asian and European tournaments can be hosted in India.

Its not everyday that golfers find this obstacle...

As I reach the end of this segment of my travels and look back to what I have seen, it has been a journey of learning. One thing is for sure, the Indian golf industry has only just begun to grow. However, what is needed is for courses to work together. There is always this form of competition between clubs, this mine- is-better-than-yours attitude. I can only hope, for the games sake, this changes as this can become the biggest stumbling block to the growth of Indian golf. I envision a time when golf courses work together for greater benefit of the game itself, where older course share the experiences and knowledge, even expertise. This may be a utopian idea but if even a small part of this change happens, it can be a game changer (and this is true for all aspects not limited to golf) and can lead to it becoming an unstoppable force of positive change.