Are you a golf enthusiast who loves to explore new and exciting places to play your favorite sport? If yes, then you should definitely visit the Ooty Gymkhana Golf Course, one of the oldest and most prestigious golf courses in India. Located in the beautiful hill station of Ooty in Tamil Nadu, this golf course offers you a unique and memorable golfing experience that you will cherish for a lifetime. In this blog post, we will tell you everything you need to know about the Ooty Gymkhana Golf Course, including its history, location, golf course layout, its signature hole, longest hole, slope and difficulty of the golf course, and its clubhouse.
History
The Ooty Gymkhana Golf Course has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to the late 19th century. It was established in 1896 by the British officers who were posted in Ooty, which was then known as Ootacamund. Ooty was a popular summer retreat for the British during the colonial era, and they wanted to create a recreational facility for themselves and their families, as well as a social club for the elite. The golf course was designed by Colonel Ross Thompson, who was also responsible for designing other famous golf courses in India, such as the Bangalore Golf Club and the Madras Gymkhana Club. The golf course started as a nine-hole course with browns instead of greens, but it was later expanded to 18 holes and converted to greens in 1929.
The Ooty Gymkhana Golf Course has been a witness to many historical events and personalities over the years. It was the venue for the first ever All India Amateur Golf Championship in 1906, which was won by Sir Michael Scott, a prominent British civil servant and golfer. It also hosted the first ever Indian Open in 1964, which was won by Peter Thomson, a legendary Australian golfer who won five British Open titles. Some of the famous golfers who have played at the Ooty Gymkhana Golf Course include Jeev Milkha Singh, Anirban Lahiri, Shiv Kapur, Arjun Atwal, Jyoti Randhawa, Gaganjeet Bhullar, and Sharmila Nicollet. These golfers have praised the quality and beauty of the golf course and have enjoyed playing there.
Location
The Ooty Gymkhana Golf Course is situated at an altitude of 7,200 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest golf courses in the world. It is surrounded by the Nilgiri Hills, which offer a stunning backdrop for the game. The Nilgiri Hills are part of the Western Ghats mountain range, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a biodiversity hotspot. The golf course covers an area of 193.56 acres and is adjacent to the Ooty Race Course and the Ooty Lake. The Ooty Race Course is another historical attraction that hosts horse racing events every year. The Ooty Lake is a man-made lake that was created by John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty, in 1824. The lake is a popular tourist spot that offers boating and fishing activities.
The climate of Ooty is pleasant and cool throughout the year, with an average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. The weather is ideal for playing golf, as well as for enjoying other attractions in Ooty. Ooty is also known as the “Queen of Hill Stations” because of its natural beauty and charm. It has many places to visit, such as botanical gardens, rose gardens, tea estates, waterfalls, museums, churches, temples, and markets. Ooty is well connected by road, rail, and air to other major cities in India.
Golf Course Layout
The Ooty Gymkhana Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 70 course that measures 6,232 yards from the championship tees. The course is known for its tight fairways, undulating greens, thick roughs, and numerous hazards. The course also has a natural slope that varies from 5 to 40 degrees, adding to the difficulty and challenge of the game.
The course has four par 3s, ten par 4s, and four par 5s. The signature hole of the course is the par 4 13th hole, which is also known as the “Road Hole”. It is a dogleg left that requires a precise tee shot over a road and a stream to reach a narrow fairway that slopes sharply to the right. The second shot is uphill to a small green that is guarded by bunkers on both sides. This hole is inspired by the famous Road Hole at St Andrews in Scotland, and it is considered one of the toughest holes in India.
The longest hole of the course is the par 5 18th hole, which measures 570 yards from the back tees. It is a straight hole that requires three accurate shots to avoid trees, bunkers, and out of bounds on both sides of the fairway. The green is large and flat, but it has a tricky pin position that can make putting difficult. This hole is a great finishing hole that can make or break your score.
The slope rating of the course is 132 from the championship tees, indicating a high level of difficulty for bogey golfers. The course record is 63, which was set by Jeev Milkha Singh in 1993. Jeev Milkha Singh is one of the most successful Indian golfers who has won multiple titles on the Asian Tour and the European Tour. He is also the son of Milkha Singh, the legendary Indian athlete who won four gold medals at the Asian Games.
Clubhouse
The clubhouse of the Ooty Gymkhana Golf Course is a heritage building that dates back to 1896. It has a colonial architecture and a cozy atmosphere. The clubhouse offers various facilities and amenities for its members and guests, such as a restaurant, a bar, a lounge, a library, a billiards room, a card room, a pro shop, a locker room, and guest rooms. The restaurant serves delicious Indian and continental cuisine, as well as local delicacies such as Ooty chocolates and Ooty tea. The bar offers a wide range of drinks, including beer, wine, whiskey, and cocktails. The lounge is a comfortable place to relax and enjoy the view of the golf course and the hills. The library has a collection of books and magazines on golf and other topics. The billiards room has two tables for playing snooker or pool. The card room has tables for playing bridge or rummy. The pro shop has golf equipment and accessories for sale or rent. The locker room has showers and changing facilities for men and women. The guest rooms are spacious and well-furnished, with attached bathrooms and balconies.
The clubhouse also organizes various events and activities throughout the year, such as tournaments, festivals, parties, and cultural programs. Some of the major tournaments that are held at the Ooty Gymkhana Golf Course are the Nilgiri Cup, the Ooty Open, the Ooty Ladies Open, and the Ooty Junior Open. These tournaments attract golfers from all over India and abroad, who compete for prizes and glory. Some of the festivals that are celebrated at the clubhouse are Holi, Diwali, Christmas, New Year, and Pongal. These festivals are marked by colorful decorations, music, dance, food, and fireworks. Some of the parties that are hosted at the clubhouse are birthday parties, anniversary parties, farewell parties, and reunion parties. These parties are fun-filled occasions that bring together friends and family members. Some of the cultural programs that are conducted at the clubhouse are musical nights, comedy nights, quiz nights
Conclusion
The Ooty Gymkhana Golf Course is more than just a golf course. It is a historical and cultural landmark that reflects the legacy and charm of Ooty. It is also a challenging and enjoyable destination for golf lovers who want to test their skills and enjoy the beauty of nature. If you are planning to visit Ooty, you should not miss the opportunity to play at the Ooty Gymkhana Golf Course. It will surely be an unforgettable experience for you.
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