CIAL Golf Club: Going International
NEDUMBASSERY:Caddies, golfers and workers could be seen bustling about getting a feel of the ground and completing the last minute works. It was all activity at CIAL golf club on Tuesday, prior to the commencement of the PGTI Cochin Masters tournament.
The golf course got praise from all quarters. Both the players and administrators noted that all was spruced up and ready for the big tournament. According to PGTI director Padamjit Sandhu, the golf club could be elevated into one where international competitions could be held within two years.
“The layout is good and work only needs to be done on the turf for such a transformation. Such work would take at least one year for completion,” he said. This sentiment was echoed by players Shubhankar Sharma, Amardip Sinh Malik and Angad Cheema who expressed their satisfaction regarding the turf.
“It is going to be a tough tournament,” they said. The golf course has been developed on 130 acres of rolling greens, with a length of 7,400 yards. It is the only 18 hole golf course in Kerala. It is also the first course in the country to offer an island green on the 18th hole. The course had been a venue for the National Games Lawn Bowl competitions that held in February and the inaugural PGTI Cochin Masters tournament.
According to CIAL authorities, steady work progressed at the club everyday and the changes are noticeable.
“Almost 10 workers were employed here at the course everyday and we kept on improving every aspect of the course,” said a CIAL official.
“In order to popularise the game, a golf academy and a golf clinic has been opened at the course. At the golf clinic, we had provided free golf coaching to students who arrived here from several educational institutions last year as part of the PGTI competition. We will be doing the same this year also during the summer vacations,” said a CIAL official.
Rolling Greens
■ The golf course has been developed on 130 acres of rolling greens, with a length of 7,400 yards
■ It is the only 18 hole golf course in Kerala
■ It is also the first course in the country to offer an island green on the 18th hole
■ The course had been a venue for the National Games Lawn Bowl competitions
■ A golf academy and a golf clinic has been opened at the course