Golf In India
Travel to any part of the world, but you will not find a country which has more diverse and good looking golf clubs than India. After Great Britain, India was the first country to take up the game of golf. The first golf club was set up in India was in the year 1829. It was the royal Calcutta golf Club in West Bengal. Since then, golf has been an integral part of indian sports. Many professional golf courses have come up in almost all parts of India. Be it the heights of Himalayas, shores of Arabian sea, congestions of cities, or sands of deserts, there are golf courses suited to different moods and tastes of golfers. Even the number of professional tournaments throughout India are on the rise.
India always likes to keep a distinction for itself, no matter whether the aspect is good or bad. Similar is the case with Golf as well. India has the oldest golf course in the world outside the Great Britain, the royal Calcutta golf course in West Bengal and also the highest in the world, Gulmarg golf course in Jammu and Kashmir. The one in Gulmarg is an absolute treat for any golfer. Teeing off amidst the backdrop of lofty Himalayas and the pine covered surroundings is definitely a special experience. Such is the charm of the place that you spend half the time admiring the beauty, sometimes making golf secondary. Such magnificent Courses have made golfing in Jammu and Kashmir extremely pleasurable. Then there are golf courses that are not placed in such beautiful locations. But the way are planned, compensate more than enough for the missing natural beauty. These are called Designers golf Courses. The surroundings might turn out to be an eyesore, but once you step inside the premises, rest assured, you will have to hold onto your jaw to stop it from falling down. Dotted with well placed lakes, pools and bunkers, these golf courses are challenging as well as fun. Jaypee Greens Golf Resort in Noida, Uttar Pradesh is a perfect example of a designer course. It is the longest course in India and at 7343 yards from championship tee, it is probably amongst the longest in Asia as well.
There are many tournaments that are held in India. The most recently concluded Noida open amateur series that was held in Noida Golf course was a major success. Many other main tournaments like Western India amateur and RCGC Cup are lying ahead in the calendar year of 2007. Few things have changed exceptionally during last few years. One definitely is the quality of the players. Many indian players like Jeev Milkha Singh and Arjun Atwal have made their mark on the international circuit as well. Other things that have changed the face of the indian golf is the prize money that is offered now to the winners as compared to earlier times and the participation of women. There are many tournaments for women as well that are gaining much needed recognition.
India is a magnificent country that offers something unique and something that interests one and all. Get more information on Golf sports in India on http://www.indialine.com/travel/jammukashmir/golf.html
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