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Putting green Members hope the course will soon become full-fledged with 18 holes

Seemingly unaffected by the incessant burble that echoes in his roomy SUV, Nayak maintained a stoic silence. After what seems like forever he grumbled: “So what do you think about the current political situation in the State?” Somehow, the incoherent mumblings that followed worked, he grunted his approval and settled into a circumspect conversation.

“The seven-year-old Pilikula Golf Club is spread over 67 acres of land and currently has only nine holes. We are going to add two more holes soon and over time we are hoping that this will be become a full-fledged 18-hole course. The land has been allotted by the Pilikula Nisargadhama to promote tourism in the region. I have been the captain of the club for six months now,” said Nayak, who is better known as one of the city’s real estate tycoons.

He explained the club is funded and managed entirely with the help of the members. “We make do with membership fees and donations. Funds are at a premium and maintaining the place is a huge task, yet we are among the best clubs in the State.”

“Alright, we are almost there,” announces Shetty. “Let me quickly explain the rules to you or you will be completely lost,” he offers. Painstakingly he explains the concept of birdies and bogeys, browns, greens and aprons, irons and putters. But the thing that stood out is that, this is a game where the person who produces the lowest score wins. How? Well, you will have to play the game and find out.

Somewhere beyond the clump of trees ahead of us the sun rose. Gradually the sprawling course revealed its beauty. As we inhaled the moment, a “thwack” echoed through the course as Nayak practised his swing.

By the time we were half-way through the first hole, the sun was bright and we were not alone. Small groups of people peppered the fairways, dressed in customary caps and the occasional cowboy hat, bending, kneeling, stretching and sizing up their next shot. As each group passed the other, they stopped for a little exchange of pleasantries.

There were around twenty golfers, despite it being a weekday.

Most of them were elderly citizens, retired doctors, businessmen and some lawyers. “This is not an old man’s game. We have quite a few younger members too,” said Shetty.

By the time we arrived at the fifth hole we were too exhausted to continue. Nayak, whose game suffered because of a lack of concentration was happy to let us go and focus on his game.

As we trudged back to the 19th hole, the club house, we met K. B. Devadiga, a retired neurosurgeon.

“Most of us older people are here just to keep ourselves fit. After years of hectic activity all we want is some peace. The younger members are often here to network and meet new people over a leisurely game,” he said.

Some of the younger lot is already cooling its heels at the club. Manoj Shetty a businessman from the city was the first to strike up a conversation. “A lot of youngsters have joined the club in the last four years.”

The “not-so-old” lot is currently driving the process of change in the club. The members are planning a State-level tourney every month starting December. The club house is being upgraded as well. “We do not want golf to be the only reason for people to come here. We want to make trips to the course a family outing,” said Manoj.

“What should make this place an attractive option for serious golfers is that we have affiliations with a dozen other clubs in the state,” added Norman Mendonca, an ophthalmologist with Father Muller’s Hospital.

There are also plans to conduct summer coaching camps for kids. The club has finally found a full-time coach in Kallapa, who has been poached from the Mercara Golf Club.

Nayak and Shetty after their game joined us in the club house. Shetty has managed to get the better of his Captain and although Nayak managed to up his game after we left, his late flourishes didn’t win the game.

As tea was served Manoj announced: “This is the first time tea is being served at the club house.” One of the other golfers quipped: “Ah, this is the first of many more interesting things to come.”

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