The Chandigarh Golf Club
The Chandigarh Golf Club is one of the most prestigious golf clubs in North India. Located in the Union Territory of Chandigarh and sprawling over a total area of 125 acres, it was founded in 1962.
The vision for the golf course came from renowned Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, who planned Chandigarh. When designing the city, Le Corbusier envisioned a golf course that would be integrated with the city and complement its other features like the Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden, and the Capitol Complex.
The golf course construction began in the late 1950s, undertaken by the Chief Engineer of Chandigarh P.L.Verma and designed by architects G.C. Bansal and B.S. Rangi. The golf course started with a mere nine holes but underwent expansion when Maj Gen AFS Chatha took over as the President of the Club in 1963. The course now has a challenging 18 holes laid over 5040 yards for amateur golfers.
Over the years, the Chandigarh Golf Club has undergone several infrastructural developments, like constructing new practice facilities, enhancing bunker designs, and improving the drainage system of fairways. The Club currently has state-of-the-art facilities for professional as well as amateur golfers.
Membership & Membership Fees
The Chandigarh Golf Club has three main classes of memberships – Regular, Corporate, and Service Memberships. Besides these, there are other sub-categories of memberships as well.
The membership fees for various categories are quite high, and the waiting period to obtain membership can range from 6 months to 6 years, depending on the demand. The cap on the total number of members is also limited. For example, the total number of regular members cannot exceed 800, and no more than 200 corporate memberships are allowed.
As of 2024, the approximate fee structure is as follows:
- Regular Membership: (Joining fee) + Rs. (Annual subscription)
- Corporate Membership: + Annual subscription fees that vary year on year
- Service Membership: Variable annual fees based on the number of years one commits to the service membership
Facilities at the Club
Over the last few decades, the Chandigarh Golf Club has added considerably to its facilities while retaining its 18-hole championship golf course. Some of the noteworthy facilities here include:
State-of-the-art Driving Range spanning an area of 14 acres with automatic golf ball dispensers, putting greens, a chipping area, and practice bunkers.
- Floodlit practice range to enable practice till late at night.
- Swimming pool, squash, tennis, badminton, and gymnasium.
- Kids play area.
- Recently renovated clubhouse with well-appointed changing rooms and lockers for men and women.
- A lounge bar, a formal dining room, and pavilion bars.
- Table tennis room, billiards room, library, card room, and table soccer area for recreational activities.
There are also plans to add further facilities like tennis courts, hotel accommodation, function rooms, staff quarters, etc.
The Chandigarh Golf Club provides all the latest modern amenities for golf enthusiasts and other sportspeople within one integrated facility. This enables its members to enjoy multiple sporting activities besides the challenging 18-hole golf course.
Major Tournaments & Golfing Achievements
The Chandigarh Golf Club has been the venue for many amateur and professional golf tournaments, including the IGU Northern India Amateur, the Chandigarh Amateur, and the North India Open. Some of the major tournaments held here are:
Mohali Open 2004: Won by Jyoti Randhawa. This was his 9th professional win.
Punjab Open 2005: Won by Harmeet Kahlon, who earned his Asian Tour Card with this win.
Idea Invitational 2009: Won by Gaurav Ghei, who shot 14 under 202 to edge past Sujjan Singh after a 3-hole playoff. The tournament’s total prize money was INR 4 million, with the winner taking home INR 600,000.
Many top Indian professional golfers like Jeev Milkha Singh, Amandeep Johl, Amritinder Singh, and others have trained here, crediting the Club’s facilities for their success. In addition, several lady golfers here have gone on to achieve laurels for the country. Some prominent names include Irina Brar, Saaniya Sharma, and Lakhani Shivani.
With its well-equipped infrastructure and challenging golf course layout, the Chandigarh Golf Club has hosted numerous tournaments and catalyzed the development of professional golf in the region for over four decades. It continues to attract the country’s top golfing talent.
Noteworthy Golf Course Features
The Chandigarh Golf Club has a par 72 championship golf course extending over 5040 yards and is designed to challenge amateur and professional golfers. Some highlights of the course are:
- Lush fairways lined by over 5000 trees, mostly Eucalyptus, Sheeshum and Neem trees planted as the course was constructed. These ensure tree-lined fairways that merge aesthetically with the surrounding garden city.
- Strategically placed bunkers add the right degree of challenge with their depth, surface area, and shape. There are a total of 65 large bunkers across the golf course.
- Excellent natural drainage due to sandy loam soil composition and the slope of land. This allows year-round accessibility, even during monsoons.
- Large fast greens made of Bermuda grass 333 are considered among the best in the country and closely resemble international standards.
- Optimal use of the natural undulations in the land to include elevation changes for an interesting layout. This offers stunning views of the Shivaliks hill range.
- Adequate water hazards like stream beds crisscrossing at certain holes add charm and difficulty.
- A beautiful lush green signature Hole No 16 – A 303-yard par four dog leg with deep bunkers at the corner. Demanding yet picturesque.
With all these aspects combined, the Chandigarh Golf Club offers one of the finest golfing experiences in India with a memorable layout that has stood the test of time while retaining its charm.
Prominent Members over the Years
The Chandigarh Golf Club attracts not only golf and sports enthusiasts but also eminent business people, bureaucrats, and politicians among its members. Some prominent names over the last few decades include:
K.S. Bains
First President of CGC and former Chief Commissioner of Chandigarh
V.P. Singh
Former Prime Minister of India
Pran Nath Thapar
Founder & Chairman of Thapar Group
Industrialist associated with Karam Chand Thapar & Bros
Sunil Mittal
Founder of Bharti Enterprises
Analjit Singh
Founder & Chairman Max India Ltd
R.P. Goenka
Chairman, RPG Enterprises
Amarjeet Chaudhary
CMD Air India Ltd
KK Khandelia
Chairman Allahabad Bank, Member Parliament
With its proximity to Delhi and picturesque location in Chandigarh, the golf club attracts numerous diplomats, celebrities, bureaucrats, business people, and politicians who relish playing at this prestigious golf course when in town. The club remains closely interwoven with India’s rich power circles across corporate and governance.
In Conclusion
In the six decades of its existence, the Chandigarh Golf Club has truly established itself as one of India’s leading Golf courses that combines natural scenic beauty with modern amenities and facilities within one integrated space.
The serenity of playing golf in Chandigarh’s well-planned city juxtaposed with the views of the Shivalik hills makes it a unique experience. The club has witnessed numerous tournaments and catalyzed the development of professional Golf in the region.
With its rich heritage, tempting layout for a competitive game, and vibrant golfer community, a visit to the Chandigarh Golf Club undoubtedly remains on the bucket list of every keen Indian golfer. For local residents, too, the Golf Club forms an integral part of the city’s culture and ethos.
FAQ
How can I get a Chandigarh club membership?
Chandigarh Club memberships are allotted based on recommendations from existing members. You need to know a current member who can sponsor and recommend your name for membership. There is usually a long waiting period.
What is the membership rate of Chandigarh Club?
Chandigarh Club membership rates vary from Rs 1.5 lakhs to Rs 4 lakhs, depending on the membership type. There are monthly subscriptions in addition to the membership fees.
What is the age limit for Chandigarh club entry?
The minimum age limit for entry to the Chandigarh Club is 18 years. Some areas of the club, like bars, may have higher age limits.
Which club is affiliated with Chandigarh Club?
Chandigarh Club does not have any direct affiliations with other clubs. However, reciprocal arrangements exist with some elite clubs across India where members can access facilities when visiting other cities.
How many acres is Chandigarh Golf Club?
Chandigarh Golf Club is spread across 114 acres of land. The 18-hole golf course itself covers about 100 acres within this area.
How big is Chandigarh Golf Course?
Chandigarh Golf Course is an 18-hole course spanning over 7,202 yards in length. It is a par 72 course.
How to book Chandigarh Golf Club booking
You can book tee times at Chandigarh Golf Club online through their website. Members get priority, but limited tee times are open for guests or visitors, which can be booked online.
Chandigarh Golf Club affiliations
Chandigarh Golf Club is affiliated with the Indian Golf Union and recognized by the Professional Golf Tour of India. It also has reciprocal arrangements with some golf clubs across India.
Chandigarh Golf Club online payment
Chandigarh Golf Club allows online payments for green fees as well as for programs like coaching through their website. Credit/debit cards, net banking, and payments can be made.
Chandigarh Golf Club app
Chandigarh Golf Club does not have an official mobile app. However, some third-party apps like GolfNow allow booking tee times at Chandigarh Golf Club.
Chandigarh Golf Club membership form
Chandigarh Golf Club membership application forms can be obtained in person from the club office. They need to be proposed and seconded by two existing members. Completed forms and fees go for review by the membership committee.
Chandigarh Golf Club Restaurant
Chandigarh Golf Club has an in-house multi-cuisine restaurant called Swarnim Restaurant. It is open to members as well as their guests. It has indoor and outdoor seating out of the golf course.
What is Asia’s biggest golf course?
Mission Hills Golf Club in China, with 22 golf courses spanning over 40 square kilometers, is regarded as Asia’s biggest golf facility.
Which is the highest green golf course in India?
India’s highest green golf course is the Khajjiar Golf Course in Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of about 2,000 meters or 6,561 feet above sea level.
Where is the world’s largest golf club?
Mission Hills Golf Club in China, spread over 40 square kilometers, is the world’s largest golf club, with 22 golf courses in one facility.
Where is the world’s largest golf resort?
Mission Hills Resort in China is the world’s largest golf resort. Spread over 40 square kilometers, it has 22 golf courses and can accommodate up to 28,000 guests at one time.
What is the Chandigarh golf club membership fees?
You can click here to get the detailed membership price information of Chandigarh golf club.
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