Being the country’s first golf club, Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) has been a synonym for heritage and the game itself
India has a rich golf heritage, dating back to the 19th century. Moreover, it was the only second country in the world to host a golf club back then. It was one of the first colonial imports. But, from where did it all start in India? Well, it’s from the city of joy—Kolkata (then Calcutta). India’s first golf club, Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC), started in Kolkata in 1829. It was the oldest of such clubs outside of Great Britain. Since then, the Club has been synonymous with the game of golf in India. The golfing heritage and history of the Club makes it a truly hallowed place for the game.
In the year 1829, the Club was established at Dum Dum area in Kolkata in the name of Dum Dum Golfing Club. In early 1880s, the Club moved to the present Kolkata Maidan area. A tent was set up there as the Club House. The Club returned to Dum Dum but was back at the Maidan within a few years. Around the turn of 20th century, the Britishers had started planning of erecting the iconic Victoria Memorial. The Club during the same time was scouting for land in the southern outskirts of the city. On November 20, 1910, the course of the Calcutta Golf Club was opened at Tollygunge. By November 1911, the Club owned a total of 308 bighas and had two full-length 18 holes courses.
On November 5, 1912, the emperor had granted the title ‘Royal’ to the Calcutta Golf Club. The clubhouse, as present today, was constructed and completed in 1914. The new course was completed in 1925 and Royal thus had 36 holes to offer to its members. In 1972, the Club gave back its second course (18 holes) to the Government of West Bengal for the purpose of residential construction. Peter Thomson, an Australian redesigned the remaining 18 holes to make it a par – 73 course.
The Aussie came back in the mid-80s and made a few more changes that reduced the par to its current 72. The existing layout of the course was finalized after Thomson’s third redesign in 1996. The Indian Golf Union was formed and started at the Royal in the 50s. Royal is known as the mother of golf in India.
Some of the famed professional golfers who walked the fairways of Royal include Peter Thomson, Brian Jones, Stewart Ginn apart from Asian stalwarts like Mr. Lu, Mya Aye and Ben Arda. Golfers like Payne Stewart and Scott Simpson graduated on to the lucrative US PGA Tour from Royal. Some renowned trainers, who had been attached to the Club, include Indrajit Bhalotia (Pro), Brandon de Souza, Feroz Ali (Pro), Varun Sahay (Pro), Shankar Das (Pro), Siddhi Kapoor (Pro), among others. Other famous trainers, who visited the Club, include, TarunSardesai, Sujjan Singh, John Volz. Other than golf there are many other sporting facilities like Lawn Bowling, Lawn Tennis, Billiards, Swimming, Gymnasium, Darts, Table Tennis, Cards etc in the Club. It also has a world class gym with latest equipment and trainer for golfers. The Club is known for conducting Royal Premier Golf League (RPGL), Quick 9 (Q9), Royal Corporate Championship (RCC), East India Amateur Golf Championship, etc. The Club has an edge over other such facilities in the country for its history heritage and the uniqueness of the course with 57 water bodies and many trees around, said its CEO, Lt Col. Devrishi Singhal. With its world class facilities, the RCGC has been a place where golfers tee off ‘far and sure’!
Highlights
- Some renowned trainers, who had been attached to the Club, include Indrajit Bhalotia (Pro), Brandon de Souza, Feroz Ali (Pro), Varun Sahay (Pro), Shankar Das (Pro), Siddhi Kapoor (Pro), among others
- Other famous trainers, who visited the Club, include, Tarun Sardesai, Sujjan Singh, John Volz, among others. Other than golf there are many other sporting facilities like – Lawn Bowling, Lawn Tennis, Billiards, Swimming, Gymnasium, Darts, Table Tennis, Cards etc in the Club.
- The present strength of the Club stands at 2400.
Discussion about this post