If you are a golf lover, you will surely enjoy visiting Royal Calcutta Golf Club, the oldest and most prestigious golf club in India. Established in 1829, this club has a rich and fascinating history that spans almost two centuries. In this blog post, I will share some of the highlights of this history and how it reflects the evolution and popularity of golf in India and around the world.
The Birth of Golf in India
Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) was founded by a group of British officers and civilians who wanted to play golf in India. They initially used a piece of land near the Dum Dum ammunition depot, which gave the club its original name: Dum Dum Golfing Club.
The club soon moved to its present location in Tollygunge, Kolkata, where it acquired a large tract of land that was formerly a paddy field. The club members designed and built an 18-hole golf course, which is mostly flat but has many natural water hazards with water lilies and largish greens. The course measures 7195 yards from the blue tees and has a par of 72.
The club also built a clubhouse, which is a colonial-style building with a veranda overlooking the course. The clubhouse has a royal status, conferred by King George V and Queen Mary in 1911 to commemorate their visit to Calcutta. The clubhouse also has a rich collection of golf memorabilia, trophies, photographs, and paintings that showcase its glorious past.
The Growth of Golf in India
RCGC is not only the oldest golf club in India, but also the first outside Great Britain. It played a vital role in introducing and promoting golf in India and other parts of Asia. The club hosted many tournaments and events that attracted golfers from all over the world. Some of these events are:
• The All-India Amateur Championship: This is the oldest amateur golf tournament in India, which started in 1892. It is open to both men and women golfers who are members of any recognized golf club in India. The tournament is held annually at RCGC, except during the two World Wars.
• The Indian Open: This is the oldest professional golf tournament in India, which started in 1964. It is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the European Tour, and attracts some of the best golfers in the world. RCGC hosted the Indian Open 20 times between 1964 and 1999, when Arjun Atwal won the tournament.
• The ICC Open Golf Championship: This is one of the largest professional tournaments in India, which started in 2016. It is organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and offers a prize money of Rs. 1 crore. RCGC hosted the ICC Open Golf Championship in 2016 and 2017, which were won by Rashid Khan and Udayan Mane respectively.
The Legends of Golf from RCGC
RCGC has produced some of the finest golfers in India and abroad, who have made their mark on the national and international stage. Some of them are:
• Shiv Chawrasia: He is a member of RCGC and a four-time winner of the Indian Open. He also plays on the European Tour and has won two other titles: the Panasonic Open India and the Resorts World Manila Masters. He represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
• Jamshedji Framji Madan: He was one of the pioneers of Indian cinema and a keen golfer who won several club championships at RCGC. He also founded Madan Theatre, which was one of the largest film production companies in India in the early 20th century.
• Indrajit Bhalotia: He is a former Asian Tour player and a national coach who runs a golf academy in Kolkata. He has trained many young golfers who have gone on to play professionally or represent India at various levels.
• Smriti Mehra: She is a former LPGA player and a multiple winner on the Women’s Golf Association of India tour. She also runs a golf academy for girls in Kolkata and mentors many aspiring female golfers.
The club also has a strong connection to some of the legends of golf from other countries, who have visited or played at RCGC. Some of them are:
• James Braid: He was a five-time Open champion and a golf course architect who designed several courses in India, including RCGC. He visited India in 1920 and made some changes to the course layout and bunkering.
• Fred McLeod: He was a US Open champion in 1908 and the oldest player to make the cut in a major championship at age 62. He visited India in 1925 and played in an exhibition match at RCGC with J.H. Taylor, another Open champion.
• Dorothy Campbell: She was the first woman to win three major championships and the first president of the Ladies Professional Golf Association. She visited India in 1933 and played in a series of exhibition matches at RCGC and other clubs.
• Willie Anderson: He was a four-time US Open champion and the only player to win three consecutive US Opens. He visited India in 1904 and played in an exhibition match at RCGC with Alex Herd, another Open champion.
The Features of the Course
RCGC is not only a historic and prestigious club, but also a challenging and enjoyable course to play. The course has some unique features that make it stand out from other courses in India. Some of them are:
• The longest hole on the course is the 14th hole, which is a par 5 that measures 503 yards from the blue tees. It is a dogleg left that requires a good drive to avoid the water hazard on the right and the trees on the left. The second shot is also challenging, as it has to clear another water hazard that crosses the fairway. The green is well protected by bunkers and slopes from back to front.
• The signature hole on the course is the 9th hole, which is a par 4 that measures 396 yards from the blue tees. It is a straight hole that has a large tank on the left side of the fairway and a smaller one on the right. The approach shot has to carry over another tank that guards the front of the green, which is elevated and undulating. The hole offers a beautiful view of the clubhouse and the Bass Rock in the distance.
• The layout of the course is mostly flat, but has many natural water hazards with water lilies and largish greens. The course has a mix of long and short holes, with some tight fairways and some generous ones. The course is well maintained and has a variety of trees and flowers that add to its beauty. The course is also home to many birds and animals, such as peacocks, monkeys, jackals, and mongooses.
I was fascinated by the stories behind these features and how they added to the fun and challenge of playing at RCGC. I felt like I was playing on a course that had a lot of character and charm.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post about Royal Calcutta Golf Club. If you are planning to visit Kolkata for your next golf trip, I highly recommend that you visit this club and experience its history and charm. You might be surprised by what you discover.
How to Book
If you are interested in booking this package, you can visit our website: https://www.indiangolfsafari.com/
You can also contact us by phone or email for any queries or requests.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a classic golf vacation with the RCGC classic package. Book your package today and get ready for an unforgettable experience. 🏌️♂️
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