NEW DELHI: The Centre’s vacation notice to the Delhi Gymkhana Club and increased scrutiny around elite clubs occupying prime government has set off chatteramong members of the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) too. Earlier, the Center also served vacation notices to Polo Club and Delhi Race Club, both close to the PM’s Residence on Lok Kalyan Marg.
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HC refuses stay on Delhi Gymkhana Club takeover notice; Centre says no forcible possessionThough the Centre extended Delhi Golf Club’s lease till 2050 only last year, questions about the long wait to get membership, access, centuries-old heritage structures and forest cover continue to be raised.
Spread across nearly 179 acres in central Delhi, DGC has around 5,400 permanent members.
The premises is also home to 9-10 Tughlaq- and Lodhi-era monuments and nearly 50% of the area is forest cover. It features the 18-hole Lodhi Course, part of the Asian PGA Tour, and the 9-hole Peacock Course.
Like many others, DGC is no stranger to litigation regarding taxes, employee termination and membership.
Only this month, the Supreme Court warned of criminal action against New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) officials over delays in conserving heritage structures on the premises.
So what keeps DGC relevant today?DGC captain, Vikram Sethi, said that at a time when Delhi is struggling with shrinking green cover, and the government is focusing on green spaces, it would not be sensible to do away with a place that has such a long history attached to it.
“The construction within the premises is limited to just 0.52 acres... the rest is green cover... The Club has contributed to Delhi’s reputation for decades and continues to host prestigious national and international events, including the DP World Tournament, which sees participation from leading golfers across the world,” he said.
One of the reasons behind extending the club’s lease, was its promise to raise the facility to “international standards”, “since golf would be part of Olympics from 2016”, the housing and urban affairs ministry told Lok Sabha last year.
Speaking to TOI on Monday, a member said efforts were are underway. “Work is in progress at the practice driving range after substantial investment and is expected to be completed by May-end. In 2019, the 18-holes course was revamped.”
Responding to concerns raised over conservation of the heritage monuments, Sethi said the Aga Khan Trust for Culture has already carried out restoration work at 4-5 sites, while work at other locations is in progress.
“The site was visited by the Supreme Court-appointed commissioner. As far as access to the monuments is concerned, even members are usually not allowed near them,” he said.
But concerns go beyond heritage structures and the green cover. Accessibility to the general public has been at the centre of decades-long conversations about its functioning.
The club has different categories of members (see gfx). But DGC maintains that it nurtures upcoming talent too.
Members said that the club runs junior training programmes in which around 200 children have participated so far. “The economically weaker section category is also being promoted under the Junior Play Programme. One of our caddie’s sons is set to represent the country at the British Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool. Members are also preparing for the Asian Games and Olympic events,” said former captain of the club, Major General (Retd) KMS Shergill.
On the decades-long waiting period for regular membership, office-bearers said the timeline varies depending on the category under which an applicant applies.
“The process is relatively faster in the government officers’ category compared to the Indian business category. The club also has limited scope for expansion considering its size, which is why conditions such as being a golfer have been laid down for membership. Ideally the city should have more such golfing facilities,” Sethi said.
The Delhi Development Authority has three golf courses -- the Dwarka Golf Course, the DDA Lake View Golf Course in Bhalswa and the Qutab Golf Course on Press Enclave Road, Saket.
When it started in the 1930s, DGC was a municipal golf course. Earlier known as Lodhi Golf Club, it became a corporate entity on February 24, 1950.
On being asked about the vacation notice served to Delhi Gymkhana Club, members said the two cannot be compared.
“You cannot compare apples to oranges. The biggest advantage of this place is that over 50% of the area is under forest cover... Ours is among the shortest golf courses in the country and we are managing within the available space,” Sethi said.
Can DGC be made more accessible? AK Jain, DDA’s former planning commissioner, said having a mixed use can be tricky. “Permitting land use change will open Pandora’s box. It is part of Lutyens Delhi bungalow zone and considered a heritage property.” He maintained that access and regulation are subjective issues, based on the nature of the property.
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