On the redesigned Visakhapatnam’s East Level Golf Membership, golfers throughout India are hitting the green in true fashion

Gazing down the valley at East Level Golf Membership (EPGC), a lush panorama of fairways and countless greens, mischievous sand traps and good blue ponds greet the attention. Amidst this, the approving claps of a gallery of viewers carry to the rugged peaks of the encompassing Japanese Ghats. Ever because the course was redesigned right into a category-A championship course a couple of 12 months in the past, the EPGC has been buzzing with power. 

After a pandemic-induced lull for almost two years placing a damper on sports activities in addition to vacation spot journey, the EPGC is giving golfers the chance to hit the green in true fashion. With a smattering of water our bodies, palm timber and bunkers, all maintained in prime situation, the 18-hole course has been drawing golf lovers from afar. Right here, non-members can lease golf tools as effectively. Since September final 12 months, the EPGC has hosted three nationwide degree tournaments and is gearing up for 2 extra in the summertime. It just lately concluded the Captain’s Cup event and hosted a glittering Captain’s Evening to rejoice the winners of the 12 months’s tournaments. 

Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Japanese Naval Command, Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta presenting the awards to the winners of Captains Cup Golf Event throughout Captain’s Evening at East Level Golf Membership
| Picture Credit score: KR Deepak

Member-friendly course

Designed by Bengaluru-based golf marketing consultant Nandan Heblikar, the course was prepared in a file time of 18 months throughout the pandemic. Nandan says: “For a lot of a long time, the EPGC was all brown; With a rise within the variety of golfers over time, the course was transformed to inexperienced. After I got here right here, the transient given to me was to revamp it right into a member-friendly course. It was an awesome crew effort with the development executed in-house by the EPGC and a few great optimistic inputs from the members of the membership.” Describing the options of the newly-designed course, Nandan provides, “It has Bermuda fairways and 75 bunkers peppered with water our bodies on the lengthy holes. It’s a very attention-grabbing course.”

The membership was began in 1884, primarily for the comfort of the British. Initially, a nine-hole golf course was positioned within the space overlooking the ocean on one facet the place the VUDA Park and The Park stand in the present day. Nonetheless, the golf hyperlinks had been closed throughout World Struggle I and II when the British residents had been drafted into the military. It moved to its current location at Mudasarlova in 1964 with the efforts of Raja PV Gajapathi Raju of Vizianagaram and different passionate golfers of the time. At this time the membership has 1,400 members out of which 300 are energetic golfers.

A social house

The redesigned course is outlined by the most recent developments in fashionable structure, complemented by pure magnificence and an countless house and width. The course’s sylvan environment are matched by great vegetation administration by EPGC’s Greens Committee. This membership additionally doubles as a social house and members take pleasure in a bunch of different providers other than their camaraderie and bonhomie .

Girls enjoying golf on the East Level Golf Membership
| Picture Credit score: KR Deepak

“The complete ambiance of the membership iswarm and welcoming. Probably the most superb half is experiencing the pure splendour of the situation whereas enjoying a sport of golf. Swooshing by means of dew on the grass on a winter morning whereas watching the dawn over the misty hills is a magical expertise,” says Manisha Bhattacharya, an avid golfer. Manisha performs 4 instances every week on the course. Nearly each golfer has to barter the hole between the pictures he or she is able to producing, and those they really hit. “You possibly can have an awesome day out of your first shot or an terrible one. Typically, we’re too fast or too distracted. Golf gave me classes on mindfulness. When your thoughts is calm and at peace at this time second, you do effectively. Golf is addictive in that sense; you try to do higher,” says Manisha, who’s in love with the redesigned course of the EPGC. 

Keen learners

Former cricketer Syed Kirmani making ready to take a swing on the East Level Golf Membership on the renovated Championship Golf Course in Visakhapatnam
| Picture Credit score: KR Deepak

“The upgradation of the course is actually a turning level for the EPGC. Now we see a rising variety of people who find themselves wanting to study the sport. We have now structured teaching programmes with two coaches. One of many highlights of the newly-designed course is a brand new driving vary for its coaching academy,” says secretary of the EPGC, Prashant Sagi. 

The maintenance and upkeep of the course are executed by the Greens Committee. “We have now 75 individuals who work on the course to take care of it. It’s distinctive for its palm timber and perennial water our bodies. Aside from including aesthetic worth and pure class, the timber improve the issue of the course,” says MSN Raju, chairman of the Greens Committee. An avid golfer, Raju spends three hours on the course on weekdays and 5 hours over the weekend. “It serves a twin goal – ardour and health. Golf is a sport of focus. One must be calm and affected person to excellent it,” says Raju, who was the winner within the ‘senior’ class on the Captain’s Cup event. At 66, what retains him enjoying golf day in and time out? “As soon as you might be into this sport, you can not avoid the course,” says Raju. “And, one of the best half is that this sport retains you match mentally and bodily. You’re all the time alert,” he provides.