Easing out golf
Kashmir is known for its golf courses and the charm they offer. But the sport has however, been confined to an elite class who have dominated the scene and treated it as their domain for many years now.
The sport had invited interest among the youth for many years but most of them remained away from the sport as they felt that getting into playing golf was a costly affair for them. Though a considerable amount of money is spent on the upkeep and maintenance of these golf courses from the state’s kitty but these golf courses were always elusive for the economically weak sports lovers.
One such golf course which the state owned and was later handed over to the J&K bank for its maintenance and upkeep is the Kashmir Golf Club located in the heart of Srinagar city.
Kashmir Golf Club/Course had been ravaged by the September, 2014 floods with extensive damage to it. However, with the help of J&K Bank, the Golf Course has been revived and made playable besides becoming aesthetically appealing.
This club/course is being made playable from next month and the government has decided to open it up for sports lovers by easing out the membership and making it affordable for all those who have an interest in the sport called golf.
Interestingly, Chief Secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam who chaired a meeting of the Executive Committee of Kashmir Golf Club in Civil Secretariat observed that there was an emergent need for earmarking one of the two Golf Courses available in Srinagar for local youth and school children having propensity for golf playing.
The opening up of the Kashmir Golf Club will provide the youth to channelize their energies and ensure their personal development.
The Kashmir Golf Club has been accordingly directed to invite applications for fresh membership on a nominal fee of Rs. 100/- per month with no entrance fee after seeking residential proof.
A simple application will be devised by the Secretary, Kashmir Golf Club for the purpose and given due publicity in print and electronic media so that more and more youth can avail the facility of golf playing.
Simultaneously, Secretary, Kashmir Golf Club will move two separate cost effective proposals one for building a training Golf Academy and the other for maintenance/renovation of the existing building for improved amenities to the users.
The Kashmir Golf Club is accessible to all the people especially living in and around Srinagar city. This golf course can provide an ample opportunity for the sports lovers to venture into this sport and learn the sport as golf is not only emerging as one of the most emerging sports activity but lucrative as well.
Professional golfers across the world have been seeking attention by the display of their golfing skills and similarly the younger generations in Kashmir can also get into the sport that is respected and nourished across the globe.
KV Network
