Srinagar: The closure of Kashmir Golf Club (KGC) for re-development has turned out to be boom for Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC) as the golfers throng in huge numbers to picturesque golf course, Sringar.
The report in leading local daily said that course remains busy both in morning, evening sessions and even during mid-day. The course is these days catering to more golfers than what used to be few months ago.
“The rush is double than the usual and among many other factors closure of KGC for time being is one among major reason. KGC members were relocated to Police Golf Club on the Boulevard. However, later RSGC offered 50% concessions to KGC members and thus the story started,” said report quoted a golfer as saying.
He said that the current unrest is another major factor contributing to the rush of golfers in RSGC these days.
“Apart from other factors that include KGC closure, the ongoing unrest across kashmir has also contributed to the buzz in the golf course,” he said.
Considered as one of the most stunning and breathtaking golf courses you would play in India with the Zabarwan hills in the background and the Dal lake around the corner. The course is spread over 300 acres of rolling hills, native deciduous forest, lakes,wilderness with the occasional marsh. The work on the 18-hole course started in 1987 – 88 under the Special Assistance Programme of the Prime Minister. Robert Trent Jones II, the world renowned golf course designer was appointed as consultant. The course was commissioned in September, 2001 and the Club Building in 2002. It has been developed with the intention to give boost to tourism industry in general and to attract high spending tourists to the valley in particular.
While the other courses of State at present bear deserted look it is RSGC that is abuzz with activities.
“To reach Gulmarg, Pahalgam for playing golf is difficult amid current unrest. Add that to closure of KGC, the rush in RSGC is obvious. The other big factor is that continuous 87 days of unrest has affected working of corporate and government sector at large. To spend their idle time, businessmen, bureaucrats, police officials and even MLA’s these days throng to RSGC,” said member RSGC.
However, another member said that rush is nothing compared to what the courses in Delhi and other places get.
“There is buzz in RSGC due to current unrest these days but still it is nothing compared to what the courses in other parts of Country get on daily basis,” he said.
Courtesy Greater Kashmir