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Golf: A perfect recreation sport

Dubbed as an elitist sport, the game today has become increasingly popular as a source of recreation among enthusiasts in the city

PHOTO:K.R. DEEPAK

GOLF IMPROVES CONCENTRATION Lady golfers at the East Point Golf Club at Mudasarlova

Over three centuries, the tiny dimpled ball has come a long way from the land of the Lochness monster. Golf, as we know it today had its origin in Scotland and is a game of obsession and mental toughness. Often dubbed as an elitist sport, the game today has become increasingly popular as a source of recreation among enthusiasts in the city of destiny.

"It is a great feeling to get up in the morning and come play a round of golf in the serenity of green surroundings," says Vice Admiral Sureesh Mehta as he describes the novelty of the famous East Point Golf Club (EPGC) situated close to the Mudasarlova reservoir.

Patron-in-Chief of the club and an avid golfer, he believes that the game is a great de-stresser in today's high-pressure work environment. Jade green hills and rows of palmyra trees are a signature of the course. "Whatever you do, the ball has to go into the trees one time or the other," he adds on a lighter note.

To Alberto Rebello, General Manager of Taj Residency, the game is an addiction. Bitten by the `golf bug' for four years now, it is a game that brings you `down to earth'. "In golf, you are playing against yourself, and with every game you strive for perfection," he says.

A laid back family friendly course when compared to other metros, the EPGC has a history linked to the British, Americans and two elite Indian families. The EPGC was started in 1884 and was meant for the relaxation of the then existing British Garrison officers, the Railway and civil officers and was purely a white man's domain. Located at the now existing Taraka Rama Park on the beach, it was initially attached to the Waltair Club and a nine-hole link was set on a piece of land leased from the Zamindar of Chemudu.

It was in 1900 that the club was renamed from Waltair Club Golf Course due to problems between the Zamindar and the Waltair Club management.

Closed during the World Wars, it was later revived in 1955 by the Americans of the Caltex Oil Refinery, now HPCL.

They maintained the course till 1964 after which it was shifted to its present location beside the Mudasarlova reservoir.

At this juncture, the Raja of Vizianagaram who was a golfer, secured 100 acres of land sanctioned from the Municipality for a 99-year lease at an annual rent of Rs.500.

The lease stipulated that the entire 100 acres should be developed within the next ten years. Over the years funds were raised and a full-fledged 18-hole course was developed at the club."The sport has picked up over the last 4-5 years and young people are taking to it in a big way," says K. Prabhakar, Tournament Handicap member. Synonymous with golf, Tiger Woods, in his view has done a lot to popularise the game amongst the masses. Ladies have also taken to the sport in a big manner. For Saroja Prasad, wife of Deputy Inspector General of the Coast Guard Andhra Pradesh, D.B. Prasad, golf allows her to spend quality time with her husband.

"We started playing the game together three years ago and it is a splendid game that improves concentration and provides good entertainment in natural surroundings," she says. Families often come together on weekends to play a round of golf. The EPGC has also charted out a master plan to further develop the course. "Some of the best golf courses in the world have a slope rating of 4, our course has a rating of 14 so there is a long way to go in terms of development," says Prabhakar.

Areas such as the toughness of the course, developing the fairways and the greens are on the agenda. The club committee is also looking for more funds and assistance from corporate sectors in maintaining the course. "Big corporate giants such as Mc Dowell's and Wills are involved in maintaining courses in Bangalore," he adds.

Open only to members, the EPGC also allows non-members to play at the club by paying a `green fee'. The green fee for a day is Rs.100 for Indian nationals and Rs.300 for foreigners.

"The club also has tie-ups with hotels in the city wherein guests can come and play here during their leisure hours," says S.P.R. Raju, secretary of EPGC.

VIDYA K.S.

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