CHENNAI: Venture into a golf course and soaking in the greenery, what also catches a stranger’s attention are the greens. After drives and fairways, through bunkers and chips, this is where the climax takes place. It’s where the ball is putted into the hole and the foremost condition — one that sets the best courses apart — is smooth rolling.
That’s why these soft patches of specifically manicured and closely-trimmed grass, about one-eighth of an inch tall, look and feel like fine carpet. Scientific maintenance is the key, water a primary requisite. It’s actually the lifeline of a golf course and those associated with the game in India estimate the requirement to be between 5 to 12 lakh litres every day.
Maharashtra has some of the elite courses and the amount they consume went somewhat unnoticed when the Bombay High Court ordered IPL matches out of the state due to water shortage. Going by figures reported during hearings, the requirement at cricket grounds is 60,000 litres per day. Mumbai golf courses are functional. So are they in Pune, where a Professional Golf Tour of India event from April 5 to 8 coincided with the PIL against IPL games.
Rajen Gandhi, captain of Bombay Presidency Golf Club (BPGC), says the property uses sewage water recycled in its own plant installed by a professor from IIT Mumbai. It runs on solar energy, so the only cost involved after installation is labour. “The course demands 8-10 lakh litres on a daily basis. The plant was set up in 2003 with the municipal corporation’s permission. The sewage runs through a part of our course and by recycling, we actually help the corporation clean it up. The club is open, we haven’t been affected by the scarcity of water,” said Gandhi, adding that catering to around 6000 members and hosting several events, BPGC has never encountered water-related problems.
The PGTI conducts around 20 tournaments annually and its calendar remains unaffected by water scarcity. Other than BPGC in Mumbai, Pune’s Oxford Golf Resort and Poona Club are among preferred destinations.
“This year, the Pune event got over before the water problem escalated. Events are lined up after June in Mumbai and Pune. Hopefully by then, the water situation would be solved. Both are regular stops on our calendar. We have never faced problems in these places,” said PGTI director Uttam Singh Mundy.
what about football?
Pune’s I-League outfit DSK Shivajians are based in an arid zone depending mostly on ground water. They use water recycled from their own plant, which will cater to an upcoming housing project undertaken by club owners.
Of the two practice turfs, one is artificial and not watered frequently. Natural turf needs 40,000 litres daily. Other than the football team, the recycled water is used by about 1500 students of the educational institute run by DSK.
cricket falls prey, golf shows the way
Drought has forced IPL out, but golf courses in Maharashtra continue to be functional. Mumbai’s BPGC needs 8-10 lakh litres daily. It uses sewage water recycled in its own solar plant.
The situation is not as cool everywhere. Golf courses in and around Delhi have been pulled up by courts and civic authorities for using fresh water when adjoining areas experience water scarcity. Despite closure threats, they have managed to carry on.
The water issue is better handled down South. Courses in Hyderabad and Kochi use recycled sewage water with the help of their own plants. Systems in these places have drawn praise from the golfing fraternity.