An Eye-opening Visit

By Rahul Banerji

Have always wondered why India lags as a golf destination? It cannot be for lack of opportunity, or availability. A round of golf on most Indian courses is among the cheapest in the world. And yet the gap in terms of demand and supply seems to be ever-growing. With its vast size, India could offer so much more, but for the moment, falls well short. In several areas.

In terms of facilities, the distance between south-east Asia and the sub-continent as a golfing destination often appears to be unbridgeable one. The ease with which one can book a round in say Malaysia, Thailand or Indonesia is an eye-opener. Along with that come an array of well-maintained courses, trained and friendly caddies and top-class facilities. All designed to make the visit one to remember.

A recent trip to Phuket for Thailand Golf Travel Mart 2018 showed just why parts of south-eastern Asia lay so much stress on providing golf visitors as seamless an experience as possible. Per head, golfers outspend most other segments of travellers, something that does not escape the notice of the powers that be.

For example, golf tourism brings in serious revenue, and promotes wide-ranging employment opportunities. In 2016, 400,000-plus players teed off, spending around $138.5 million. At a per capita spend of $346, it ranked as the second highest of all travel-related activities in the kingdom. Serious effort goes into making a round of golf in Thailand one to remember.

Speaking at the inauguration of the event, Tourism Authority of Thailand, deputy governor Tanes Petsuwan noted, “Thailand excels at delivering a complete golf experience. Not just the diversity of courses and standardised amenities, but also the local experience makes us competitive on both the regional and global level.”

Among the themes underpinning the event at Phuket were golf and gastronomy following the launch of the first Michelin Bangkok Guide, and the issue of sustainability and environment impact.

Which is why more than 128 buyers from 30 countries around the world poured in for the Phuket event. Adding to the experience was Thai Airways and the large number of hosting hotels. And even as the discussions and negotiations continued, there were lakes of hot and sour Tom Yum soup to wade through and piles of Pad Thai noodles to deal with (golf and gastronomy, anyone?)

Week to remember

Separated by thousands of miles, Gaganjeet Bhullar and Anirban Lahiri made it a week to remember for Indian golf.

First, Kapurthala boy Bhullar capped five top-10 displays including two runner-up finishes on the Asian Tour this year with victory at the $970,000 Fiji International, tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia to seal his European Tour card.

The 30-year-old, who had rounds of 70, 69, 69 and 66, held on to his overnight lead at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course to emerge as the first Indian winner of nine Asian Tour titles ahead of Jeev Milkha Singh and Arjun Atwal both of whom have eight wins on the tour.

Lahiri too made it a weekend to remember with his best ever finish at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio. He improved on three previous tied 28th displays at World Golf Championship tournaments with his sixth place alongside Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantalay and Aaron Wise at Firestone and will head into the PGA Championships later this week at the Bellerive Country Club looking to better his tied fifth place closing back in 2015.

The Indian standard-bearer could not have asked for a better way to warm up for the final major of the year, where he will have the Iceman, Shubhankar Sharma, for company.