New Delhi: The majestic Delhi Golf Club, set amidst the splendor of the Lodhi Dynasty tombs will play host to the “Bachelor’s Cup” a week-long celebration of 100 years of golf. The tournament will see as many as 700 golfers from various age groups relishing the experience of teeing off in the shadows of the historic monuments.
Although the present location of the Delhi Golf Club shifted in early 1930s, golf has been known to be played even before the capital of India was shifted from Kolkata to Delhi in 1911, the testimony of which is a “Bachelor’s Cup” discovered with inscriptions of the date and a list of early winners. Since then, it has been a regular feature and holds a special place with the centenary celebrations.
Spread over 179 acres of land – once the burial grounds of the 14th century Lodhi Dynasty – the Delhi Golf Club is the oldest in the Capital, established by the British in 1931. The main par-72, 6,888-yard course -- aptly named as the Lodhi course -- is home to many professional tournaments, including the Indian Open, part of the prestigious Asian PGA Tour.
Many of the great players of yesteryears such as Peter Thompson, David Graham, Graham Marsh, Payne Stewart, Maurice Bembridge, have all relished the challenge and enjoyed playing at the DGC.
It was here than many Indians have left their mark in Indian golfing history. Ali Sher who grew up treading the greens and fairways of the DGC, became the first Indian professional to win the Indian Open in 1991 and his repeat success in 1993 changed the face of Indian golf. Another DGC prodigy Gaurav Ghei chipped in with an eagle to clinch the Gadgil Western Masters in 1995 and SSP Chowrasia won the first ever European Tour event the Indian Masters in 2008. Jyoti Randhawa and Arjun Atwal have also emerged champions in international events on this very soil.
DGC is a home to a number of golfers who have brought laurels to the country. Asian Games gold Medallists and regular on various Tours across the world Shiv Kapur and Jyoti Randhawa are amongst the list of elite achievers. Former stars include Billoo Sethi, the first Indian to win the Indian Open, the first family of Indian golf IS Malik and Ashok Malik, Laxman Singh, Vikramjit Singh, Rishi Narain, Brandon de Souza, Nonita Lal Qureshi and Sita Rawley amongst others.