Come January 28 and the 1,800 plus-member Chandigarh Golf Membership shall be seeing the elections for the managing committee of the membership. Whereas PN Thapar was the primary president of the membership from 1962 to 1966, the membership has seen numerous presidents in its historical past. This yr’s contest shall be between former five-time president of the membership Birinder Singh Gill and former three-time president Ravibir Singh Grewal. The Indian Specific spoke to each Gill (63), who can also be a lawyer, and Grewal (59), a horticulturist and an IT enterprise proprietor.
I imagine that we have to run this golf course in a really scientific and deliberate method and we undoubtedly have to have a look at the fairways and greens in a scientific manner. The course must be introduced as much as a special degree and I imagine that is missing at current. We wish to give the members extra alternative to play golf and the main target shall be on carving out a calendar which fits everybody. The necessity is to be extra open about discussions with the members.
Throughout your earlier tenures, what have been the belongings you emphasised on and the teachings learnt?
Our principal emphasis was on the amenities on the vary and growing a brand new junior vary. We had constructed a brand new junior vary close to the 14th gap and lots of focus was on selling junior golf to get crop of junior golfers. We’ve got seen the junior golfers profitable titles on the nationwide and worldwide degree earlier than emulating the identical on the senior degree. Proper now, I imagine we have to open the course to skilled individuals with a scientific method to make the amenities higher.
We’ve got seen cities like Gurgaon and Ahmedabad internet hosting worldwide occasions like Asian Tour or European Tour occasions. When will we see Chandigarh internet hosting such an occasion?
We’ve got seen Skilled Golf Tour of India (PGTI) tournaments being carried out on the membership. Yearly we see the PGTI internet hosting tournaments at Chandigarh. Internet hosting an Asian Tour or European tour occasion relies on different standards too, however I imagine one must develop the course to a special normal and work must be completed on that facet.
Latest months have seen the membership receiving notices from the UT administration over building actions within the membership as effectively air pollution norms. What’s your tackle this?
I imagine we’ve to abide by the constructing guidelines and bylaws of the administration. We’ve got to stick to no matter the federal government directions are and I imagine prior approvals based on the legal guidelines must be undertaken.
Golf continues to be thought of an elite sport. Do you imagine the Chandigarh Golf Membership is doing sufficient to bridge the hole?
Chandigarh Golf Membership is likely one of the golf equipment the place anyone can stroll into the vary and pay the required charge and play. However we even have to contemplate the membership and the restricted scope of the membership. We can’t prolong the golf course so we’ve to regulate the members, gamers in addition to walk-ins based on the spots obtainable and see the required stability.
What are your views in your opponent Ravibir Singh Grewal?
It’s all proper for each of us to compete towards one another. It’s like every other match and we each respect one another. I want him luck too.
***
Ravibir Singh Grewal
How do you see your candidacy this yr and what’s your agenda?
Just like the previous instances, the primary focus must be enhancing the golf course and the membership and goal to advertise golf within the Tricity. After all, the primary goal must be to advertise golf among the many juniors and budding golfers. We additionally want extra deal with growing women golf in addition to growing extra amenities. It’s a members’ membership and the goal is to supply the most effective {golfing} circumstances. As all the time, one of many focuses must be working in tandem with the Chandigarh Administration and carry the nice work ahead.
Throughout your earlier tenures, what have been the belongings you emphasised on and the teachings learnt?
Throughout my previous tenures, my goal was to improve the circumstances on the course each time I used to be elected. Throughout my final tenure because the president, we have been in a position to chalk out a 33-year-lease after a protracted hole with the UT administration. We additionally introduced again the PGTI to conduct tournaments right here on the course and strived to goal for a stability between members, gamers in addition to amenities. We learnt from every tenures and the main target must be to make the game develop within the Tricity as effectively the nation.
We’ve got seen cities like Gurgaon and Ahmedabad internet hosting Worldwide occasions like Asian Tour or European Tour occasions. When will we see Chandigarh internet hosting such an occasion?
The reply may be very easy. Aside from offering the amenities matching such occasions, we’ve to strive always to showcase regardless of the membership has to supply. We’re already internet hosting Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational, one of many largest prize cash tournaments on the PGTI calendar. Throughout my final tenure, we have been accepted of internet hosting an Asian Tour occasion. You by no means know it may occur in the end of time relying on different components too like sponsors and the main target shall be on making an attempt to host worldwide occasions too.
Latest months have seen the membership receiving notices from the UT Administration over building actions within the membership as effectively air pollution norms. What’s your tackle this?
There have been points raised by the administration concerning the constriction actions and the excessive courtroom intervened and disposed of the notices. As I stated, we resolved the long-pending lease challenge with the UT Administration. So we’ve to work intently with the it and resolve all of the pending points too.
Golf continues to be thought of an elite sport. Do you imagine the Chandigarh Golf Membership is doing sufficient to bridge the hole?
Golf as an elite sport is a misnomer within the case of Chandigarh Golf Membership. Final week solely, we hosted a caddies match and it showcases the sort of expertise in Chandigarh. Anyone can come and practice on the vary paying the required charge and camps too are carried out. We’ve got to grasp the amenities are restricted and we’ve to create a advantageous stability between the members’ enjoying time, tournaments, coaching and training programmes.
What are your views in your opponent Birinder Singh Gill?
Birinder Singh Gill and I are shut buddies and we’ve all the time labored for the membership. On the finish of the day, the membership is for all of us. Members will take their selection and my needs for him too.