Jaypee Wishtown’s hidden jewel and the Indomitable Doctor

 

Jaypee Wishtown is guarded by high towers on two sides.

By Rahul Banerji

One of the Delhi-NCR region’s better kept secrets at least till a couple of months ago was the existence of an additional nine holes besides the existing 18 at the Jaypee Wishtown golf course.

Unseasonal rains in August and September laid waste to the greens on the front nine and forced the Wishtown management to open the hitherto near-unknown all par-3 nine hole layout.

And what a bonanza it turned out to be for those fortunate enough to get a taste of this little treat.

Embraced by high-rises on two sides and a country-house style development on the third, Wishtown’s ‘Extra Nine’ is something of a test, Nine par 3s doesn’t sound like much but being lulled into complacency can sting.

If nothing else, the stock of golf balls you are carrying on the day could deplete quickly.

The second, seventh and ninth holes are across water. Laying up is one way to go, but where’s the fun in that? Temptation raises it’s cunning head too.

Caution to the winds

Between 170 (second) and 190 (seventh) yards is the carry required. We all found water on our first encounter.

Thick rough guards at least five other holes so accuracy – and distance – are at a premium. Playing safe on a par-27 layout can be an unappetizing prospect so the basic instinct is to go for broke.

It pays. But it can cost too.

With rain lurking, the super-sized greens were all on the slower side while the fairways are either shallowly scooped or landscaped on left and right.

Bunkers abound so straying off-line by even a little means plentiful use of the sand-wedge though thankfully they are filled with fine silicate. The club goes through easily.

The ninth hole is an island and billed as the signature piece of the layout. As with the others, the green is vast so landing is less of a problem than closing it out. The ball runs away quickly if lthe line is not well judged.

With the front nine being brought back up to speed, Wishtown’s ‘Extra Nine’ has closed again. It will tantalise till available again.

Battling through

Amateur golf for many is about pleasure. Of hitting a good shot, chip or putt, or may be a recovery to gladden the heart. It is not usually about pain.

Of course pain exists for the casual golfer on the course. From sliced drives or shanked irons. Even misread putts.

But bearing physical agony all through a round is not usually an option. In most sport, a pulled or torn muscle means a safe retreat to the sidelines. Till Neeraj, hereinafter referred to as Doc (for obvious reasons), showed us otherwise.

The first hole at Wishtown has two water-bodies on the right, the second of which has little palms along the edge. Doc’s drive strayed and he found himself in the shadow of one of these tiny monsters.

Opting for bravery over caution, he opted to play out even with almost no space to swing. The shot was awkward, and the outcome a badly twisted calf muscle.

He shuffled through the hole and at this point, most would have opted to sign off. But Doc is made of sterner stuff. He carried on.

And on, and on, gimping and limping with gritted teeth. And a desperate desire to not leave his four-ball.

I’ve been in and around sport for most of my waking life. And all these years later, it can still surprise me.

Good stuff, Doc. Looking forward – in better condition hopefully – to our next round together.

Also read: The revamped nine at Qutab GC and a chance encounter