march 2017 - delhi golf club

Photograph: Dharam Diwaker

FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY

Newsletter of the Delhi Golf Club Ltd.

M A R C H 2 0 1 7Issue No. 91

100th usha all india

ladies CeleBRated at OuR CluB

aditi ashOk CReates histORy

pResident’s & Captain’s

plan fOR the futuRe

Wg Cdr AK Singh, Director General IGU, Mr Vijay Goel, Minister Youth Affairs & Sports, Wg Cdr Satish Aparjit, President IGU and Mrs Pauline JM Singh, Chairperson IGU Ladies Section at the Prize Presentation of the 100th All India Ladies Amateur Golf Championship

2 DELHI GOLF CLUB LTD.



tee off with the captain’s message

Dear Members,

I would like to thank all members for their overwhelming support which made it possible for me to serve as the Club Captain. It is my endeavour to improve the playing conditions on both the Lodhi and Peacock Courses through the year, by incorporating better maintenance practices. In order to achieve these high standards, we will be preparing a detailed Master Plan incorporating immediate, medium and long term objectives.

Our immediate focus, after assuming office in October 2016, was the onerous task to prepare the golf course for the Panasonic Open, an Asian Tour event. Accordingly, a maintenance schedule was put in place to arrest the problem on the greens, and they started showing signs of recovery. Sodding of contaminated patches that had spread over the past many years, was undertaken on a war footing by using Tifdwarf grass from the nursery. The nursery is now being redeveloped to plant pure Tifdwarf grass and for modern grasses to be used in the future. Plastic sheet covers were procured for the first time to protect the greens from winter frost and the results have been remarkable.

The fairway roping was removed from the course, as promised, to avoid inconvenience to members. It is heartening to see members showing restraint now when taking their carts on the fairways. We also ensure no major course maintenance work is undertaken on weekends and holidays, thereby facilitating unhindered play.

The Panasonic Open India was conducted in December 2016 and the golf course from tees to greens and all associated administrative facilities for the Tournament were of a high standard and to the entire satisfaction of the Asian Tour Organizers. There was positive feedback and praise on the course playing conditions from the Asian Tour Director, Indian/international professionals and the Press Corps. The Panasonic Open was followed by the 100th USHA All India Ladies Amateur tournament which was a great success.

All tees on the Lodhi and Peacock course were overseeded with winter Rye grass and the condition of these, throughout the winter were excellent, inspite of the severe frost witnessed in January.

Landscaping of the area around the 10th Tee was undertaken to add colour to the otherwise bland

Tee off with the Captain

DELHI GOLF CLUB LTD. 3



tee off with the captain’s message tee off with the captain’s message

surroundings, hence seasonal flowers were planted. The wall adjacent to Tee No. 6 was raised and the total area around the tee has been increased and flower beds created adjacent to the wall.

Drainage during monsoons has been a major problem on the course and green side bunkers. Areas with water logging problems on the fairways have been mapped and rainwater harvesting pits will be constructed in the forest area to help in recharging the aquifers and maintaining a healthy water table. A few green side bunkers have been earmarked which will be drained by rainwater harvesting pit method.

It has been proposed to upgrade the Practive Driving Range by improving the bays, grassing the target area, improving lighting and creating all weather mobile shelters on wheels. Due to the heavy wear and tear on the Practice Chipping/Pitching area, we are remodeling the area with synthetic turf.

We are encouraging members to participate in ‘Club Competitions’ and expect a high level of participation and enthusiasm from them. The Club has signed an Agreement with M/S SLW a sports management company who will sponsor four Members’ Tournaments, a Golf Carnival along with Captain’s Day and a Junior Inter Club golf tournament. Accordingly, the Annual Golf Calendar has been finalised and included in this issue, displayed on the Club’s website and Notice Boards.

An Open House was conducted on 10th December 2016 based on a prior Agenda circulated making it meaningful with many good suggestions and feedback from the members.

For improving/protecting the forest cover, discussions are on-going with the Delhi and Rajasthan State Governments for permission to translocate the sambhars. Once the sambhar move out, we will start afforestation by planting indigenous trees and shrubs.

The Pub was taken over by the Club in November 2016 and after renovations, we started ‘In House’ catering which has been highly appreciated by members.

The old Gents and Ladies washrooms at Tee No. 14 have been refurbished. A gazebo style sitting area has been created beside Tee No. 5 of the Peacock Course and work is under progress to upgrade the washroom and refreshment counter. The carpet and upholstery of the Gents Changing Room has been re-done giving an excellent ambience to the place.

The winter chill is slowly thawing and I wish you all a happy spring ahead.

Happy Golfing!

MAJ GEN KMS SHERGILL VSM (Retd)




Know YoUR geneRaL committee 2016-2017

PRESIDENT

MR. SIDDHARTH SHRIRAM

CAPTAIN

MAJ. GEN. K.M.S. SHERGILL VSM (Retd)

HRD

CHAIRMAN: MR. ROHIT SABHERWAL

CO-CHAIRMAN: MR. KRISHAN VARMA

DISCIPLINARY & CLUB CULTURE DEVELOPMENT

CHAIRMAN: MR. SIDDHARTH SHRIRAM

CO-CHAIRMAN: MAJ. GEN. KMS SHERGILL, VSM (Retd)

GREENS

CHAIRMAN MAJ. GEN. KMS

SHERGILL VSM (Retd)

CO-CHAIRMAN: MR. AMIT LUTHRA

TOURNAMENTS

CHAIRMAN: MR. AMIT LUTHRA

CO-CHAIRMAN: MR. VIKRAM SETHI

HOUSE

CHAIRMAN: MR. KARAN ATWAL

CO-CHAIRMAN: MR. BRIJ ANAND

FINANCE

CHAIRMAN: MR. ASHWINI LUTHRA

CO-CHAIRMAN: MR. ROHIT SABHERWAL

F&B

CHAIRMAN: MR. VIKRAM SETH

CO-CHAIRMAN: MR. KARAN ATWAL

MEMBERSHIP

CHAIRMAN: MR. KRISHAN VARMA

CO-CHAIRMAN: MR. VIKRAM SETH

SYSTEMS & HANDICAPPING

CHAIRMAN: MR. ANIL VIRMANI





Know YoUR geneRaL committee 2016-2017

HRDCHAIRMAN: MR. ROHIT SABHERWAL CO-CHAIRMAN: MR. KRISHAN VARMA

As part of its endeavour to ensure smooth operations and continuity in Club

operations, the HRD Sub-Committee is in the process of recruiting and filling up

positions that are vacant or due to fall vacant in the near future. Appointments

of a Deputy Secretary, Assistant Manager (Maintenance), Assistant Manager

(Workshop), Executive Caddy Master and Executive Starter have been finalized.

These are scheduled to join shortly.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

CHAIRMAN: MR. VIKRAM SETH

CO-CHAIRMAN: MR. KARAN ATWAL

The past few months the emphasis was on professionalism and attention to detail as well as presenting a variety of programmes for member’s entertainment.

Some of these included:

• After substantial repair andrenovation work, the Pub catering was taken over by the Club on 30th November 2016 for in house operation; this has been successful with increased footfall.

• Lawn lunches proved a greathit with a host of counters that included Mamagoto, Tonino’s, The Kathi, Avadhi Kebabs, Moets Chettinad Cuisine, Wow Momos, Sushiya, Zoet’s Desserts plus the Club’s own counters. New green table cloths were appreciated by members.

• There was an all time recordof takers for the scrumptious Christmas lunch. The turkey platter was served with a complimentary glass of wine to ‘live’ Christmas carols.

• Catering at three locations forthe fourth year in succession was provided at the Panasonic India Open in December 2016. This was appreciated by sponsors, officials and Club members, alike.

• The New Year’s Eve Dinner &Dance attracted 900 members and guests, who thoroughly enjoyed the evenings fare and entertainment.

The Tournament Committee has decided to revive the old Club Trophies and is of the opinion that one member tournament be held every year. Apart from these members tournaments, it has also been decided that three to four tournaments for Senior Members of the Club will also be held, on the Lodhi/Peacock Course.

DELHI GOLF CLUB TROPHY

ThiswasheldonNovember11th&12th2016.Thetournamentwasheldin two categories i.e. 18 holes Stableford and 9 holes Stableford for Senior Members over the age of 75 years.

Winner Karam Rai Mehra (SD-1033) 45 points Runner Up Maj. D.N. Dass (D-138) 41 points

SENIOR MEMBERS OVER 75 YEARS (9 HOLES)

Winner Man Mohan Sethi (S-462) 23 points Runner Up B.K. Taimini (T-153) 20 points

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

This was played on Sunday, February 5 2017. Members, Spouses, Dependents&SeniorDependentswithahandicapof9orlowerwereeligibleto participate. There were 18 participants.

Winner Mr. Amit Luthra (L-085) 77 gross Runner Up Dr. Sanjiv Kalra (K-646) 80 gross

Both winner and runner up will represent Delhi Golf Club for the Amateurs Trophy at Otivous Dunes in Lisbon.

GOLF CALENDAR

Pleaserefertopages6&7forthefinalizedGolfCalendarfortheyear.

TOURNAMENTS CHAIRMAN: MR. AMIT LUTHRA


sUB-committee RepoRts




HOUSECHAIRMAN: MR. KARAN ATWALCO-CHAIRMAN: MR. BRIJ ANAND

The House Committee reports that the following works have been successfully completed/are under progress during this period:-

• Addition/alteration and rensovationof the Pub i.e. laying of hardwood, wooden flooring, polishing of furniture and brass items, new wiring and lights, installation of a new music system and other miscellaneous works.

•Eightnewelectricheatershavebeenpurchased for the Pub Terrace.

•Renovationof14thTeeGentsandLadies toilets.

•Provisionof angle iron frameswithwire meshing along the road from the Putting/Chipping Range to the PDR.

•Plastering of the existingwall fromthe Pump House near the 1st Tee to the PDR with red stone top and other miscellaneous works.

• Construction of a covered seatingarea near the 12th Tee.

SYSTEMS & HANDICAPPINGCHAIRMAN: MR. ANIL VIRMANI


Armed with the Mission Statement “Use of cutting edge technology for

bettergovernance”,thenewSystems&HandicappingCommitteehasbeen

busy in implementing priority projects, namely:

•ToimproveproductivityofF&Boutlets,POSSystemshavebeeninstalled

at the Pub, Annexe, Ice Cream Kiosk and Main Bar.

• The digitizing andmicrofilming of all Club documents and records has

been re-started.

•ThereplacementoftheoldERPSystem,introducedin2006,isunderway.

Three vendors have been short-listed - IDS, SAP B1 and NAV 2016 - to

increase the efficiency and generate different MIS reports as required.

•TheimplementationofSmartRFIDandPalm&FacialRecognitionSystems,

to increase the efficiency of systems and prevent errors while debiting

bills, is planned.

•AcustomizedMobileApp,tofacilitatethedisseminationofnotifications/

circulars/monthly bills etc; speedy billing on the lawn; members feedback;

pace of play and scoring information etc. is being designed.

• The process to start a centralized mail monitoring system has been

initiated.

•Theup-gradationofHandicappingproceduresandsystems.

•ThepossibilityofpaymentofcaddiesthroughPayTMisbeinglookedinto.

sUB-committee RepoRts

MEMBERSHIPCHAIRMAN: MR. KRISHAN VARMA CO-CHAIRMAN: MR. VIKRAM SETH

• 26 newmembers have been inducted sinceOctober 2016.

•18wereupgradedfrom‘C’to‘M/W’and12wereupgraded from ‘M/W’ to ‘A’ in Indian Business and Indian Service categories respectively.

• 12 Corporate nominees & 4 memberswere inducted under Corporate Membership and Foreign Tenure (Special / NRI) category respectively.

• 17 members were taken under GovernmentTenure category.

Members are being considered for upgradation with the following seniority

‘C’ to ‘M/W’ November 2016 and ‘M/W’ to ‘A’ May 1998

•Membersareadvised tosubmit theirscorecardsso that the largenumber of vacancies in the ‘C’ to ‘M/W’ category may be filled (as per the Club Articles) and vacancies opened for induction of new members.

Fresh Applicants are being considered with the following seniority:-• Indian Business December 1987 • Indian Service August 2000• Dependent Applied in Time October 1998 • Dependent Applied Late May 1990

The Sub Committee is deliberating ways to reduce time taken for induction of new members, as well as upgradation, without inordinate increase in footfall. Suggestions on this from members are welcome.




sUB-committee RepoRts cLUB notices

NO TIPPING PLEASEPatrons (members, guests, visitors) are advised that giving of tips (gratuities) to individual staff

members is strictly forbidden.

Should you wish to provide a gratuity for well performed services, kindly deposit your cash

contributions in the specially provided and locked‘GRATUITYBOXES’whicharelocated

conveniently around typical service areas.

The funds so generated will be distributed, twice a year, to non-executive staff that are on

the rolls of DGC.

THISWAY,ALLTHOSEWHOAREINEVITABLYINVOLVEDINTHEDELIVERYOFSERVICES

BUTWHOMTHEGIVERMAYNOTINTERFACE WITH, WILL ALSO BENEFITFROM

YOURGENEROSITY.

Offenders will be warned. Repeat offenders will incur severe penalties.

SECRETARY’S VISITING HOURSIT IS PROPOSED THAT FOR GENERAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS, CLUBMEMBERSANDVISITORS,ACCESSTOTHESECRETARY

WILL BE AS FOLLOWS12.00 NOON - 1.00 PM

3.00 - 4.00 PMALLAREREQUESTEDTOKINDLYCONFORMTOTHISTIMINGTOENABLETHE

SECRETARYTOCONDUCTHISEXECUTIVEDUTIESEFFICIENTLY.

NO PHONE USAGE ALLOWED

INCORRECT USAGE WILL IMMEDIATELY ATTRACT FINES WHICH ESCALATE ON REPEAT OFFENCES.

USAGE MEANS: Ring Tones / Speaking / Anything that causes any noise.

Texting is permitted with no sound effects.

HINT : Before entering put all phones on silent mode.

The Delhi Golf Club was the first Club in India chosen by Titleist for the launch of their latest 917 Drivers and Fairway Metals on Oct 21 & 22. The event was well attended by the members. The 917 Metals are the Standard For Complete Performance. They have been designed to deliver the most complete performance, even on off-center hits, along with the capability for adjustability so every player can get the most out of every shot.””




annUaL goLf caLenDaR 2017

S.N DATE/DAY NAME OF THE TOURNAMENT REMARKS

JANUARY 2017

1. Jan 17-18, Tue-Wed RANILAXMIBAISALVER&OISHICUPLadies (Tee Closure 0830 to 0930 hours)

2. Jan 25, Wed LADYIRWINCUP(RD.1)Ladies (Tee Closure 0830 to 0930 hours)

FEBRUARY 2017

3. Feb 1-2, Wed-Thu LILIKHANNA(RD.1&2)Ladies (Tee Closure 0800 to 0900 hours)

4. Feb 5, Sun DGC CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP ClubCompetition(H’cap09&below)

5. Feb 9, Thurs MEMBERS PRIVATE EVENTMr. Navneet Singh (40 golfers) Tee Closure from 08.00 to 09.30 am

6. Feb 12, Sun DGC-JAPANESESOCIETYGOLF40 golfers. (Tee Closure 0800 to 0845 hours &1015to1100hours.)

7. Feb 15, Wed MONTHLYMEDALLadies (Tee Closure 08.00 to 08.30 am)

8. Feb 17, Fri CWTMEMBERS-CUM-CHARITYTOURNAMENT Members-cum-Charity Tournament

MARCH 2017

9. Mar 1, Wed CHANDUJJALSINGHTROPHYLadies (Tee closure 0800 to 0900 hours)

10. Mar 4, Sat HINDU COLLEGE ALUMNIPeacock Course (Tee Closure from 0800 to 1230 hours)

11. Mar 5, Sun INTERNATIONAL ROAD FEDERATIONPeacock Course (Course closed 2.30 pm onwards)

12. Mar 6, Mon DGC LADIES INTER CLUB Ladies. Two tee start.

13. Mar 10, Fri MEMBERS PRIVATE EVENTMr. Sanjay Sethi (20 golfers) (Tee closure 10.00 to 10.30 am)

14. Mar 14-17, Mon-Fri NCR CUPAmateur Tournament. No. of participants 60. Tee closure 0800 to 1130 hours)

15. Mar 22-23, Wed-ThursVICERENE SALVER (GOLD) GENESTA SALVER (SILVER)BRONZEMATCHPLAY

Ladies. Lodhi Course (Tee Closure 0800 to 0900 hours)

16. Mar 24-25, Fri-Sat LT. GOVERNOR’S SHIELD Members Tournament

17. Mar 27, MonSENIORS TOURNAMENT (SQ.LDR. A.K. LUTHRA MEMORIAL)

9 Holes Members Tournament Lodhi&PeacockCourse(Tee closure 0800 to 1000 hours both courses) 9 hole putting competition.

APRIL 2017

18. Apr 4-8, Tue-Sat

GOLFCARNIVAL-CAPTAIN’SDAYWEEK Mon– Seniors Wed – Ladies Fri-Sat : Members (including Sponsors slots) Sat – Juniors

Tee Closure 8000 to 1130 hours daily

19. Apr 8, SatCAPTAIN’SDAY

20. Apr 11-14, Tue-Fri NORTHERN INDIA AMATEUR GOLF TOURNAMENT IGU




annUaL goLf caLenDaR 2017 annUaL goLf caLenDaR 2017

S.N DATE/DAY NAME OF THE TOURNAMENT REMARKS

MAY 2017

21. May 10 – Jun 20 JUNIOR TRAINING PROGRAMME Peacock Course

22. May 13-14, Sat-Sun CAPTAINDALJINDERSINGHTROPHY Members Club Competition

JUNE 2017

23. June 2-3, Fri-Sat BILLOOSETHIMEMORIALTROPHY Members Club Competition

24. Jun 27-30, Tue-Fri DGC JUNIOR GOLF TOURNAMENT Peacock Course

JULY 2017

25. Jul 22-23, Sat-Sun PRESIDENT’S PRIZE Members Club Competition

AUGUST 2017

26. Aug 18-19, Fri-Sat THE BACHELOR’S CUP Members Club Competition

27. Aug 23-24, Thurs-Fri INTER CLUB JUNIOR TOURNAMENTLodhi Course (Tee closure 0800 to 1200 hours)

28. Aug 25, Sat JUNIOR TOURNAMENTJuniors. Peacock Course (Tee closure 0800 to 1230 hours)

SEPTEMBER 2017

29. Sep 8-9, Fri-Sat DELHI FLOUR MILLS CUP Members Club Competition

30. Sep 15, Fri RITINJALI 2ND CHANCE GOLF TOURNAMENTCharity Tournament (Tee Closure 0800 to 1130 hours)

31. Sep 18, Mon JAGAN DHAMIJA SENIOR TOURNAMENT

Members. (9 Holes) Lodhi&PeacockCourse(Tee closure 0800 to 1000 hours both courses) 9 hole putting competition

32. Sep 23, Sat JUNIOR TOURNAMENTJuniors. Peacock Course (Tee closure 0800 to 1230 hours)

OCTOBER 2017

33. Oct 6, Fri INDIANCANCERSOCIETYCharity Tournament (Tee Closure 0800 to 1130 hours)

34. Oct 14-15, Sat-Sun DCM CHALLENGE CUP Members Club Competition

35. Oct 30 -Nov 05, Mon-Sat PANASONIC OPEN INDIA Professional Tournament (Tentative)

NOVEMBER 2017

36. Nov 17-18, Fri-Sat WILKINSON MEMORIAL CUP Members Club Competition

DECEMBER 2017

37. Dec 15-16, Fri-Sat SWINTON CUP Members Club Competition

38. Dec 23, Sat JUNIOR TOURNAMENTPeacock Course (Tee closure 0800 to 1230 hour)

RED MEMBERSCLUBCOMPETITIONS•SENIORSTOURNAMENT•MEMBERSGOLFCARNIVAL

LIGHT YELLOW LADIES•JUNIORS

PURPLE PROFESSIONALTOURNAMENT

LIGHT GREEN CHARITY•CORPORATETOURNAMENT

GREEN – ALUMNI FRIENDSHIPMATCH

ORANGE AMATEURTOURNAMENT

TURQUOISE MEMBERSPRIVATEEVENT

1 0 DELHI GOLF CLUB LTD.



GOLFING GIRL CHILD PROGRAMMEThe GGCP girls continue to blossom, performing well at the Maharaj Krishan North Zone Juniors Golf Tournament in January 2017 at Chandigarh Golf Club:Category‘A’:RitikaRaina-2nd&IshitaGupta-3rdCategory‘B’:RiyaChaudhry&InshaSiddiqiTied3rd

Nisha Kumari won the Bronze Division at the Noida Ladies Open Golf Championship.

LaDies section

The Ladies Section is on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/dgcladiessection • https://www.facebook.com/DGC-Ladies-GOLF2016-WGD-1701109606808048/ Do send us friend requests to dgcladiessection if you would like to join.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY - December 19The Annual Children’s Christmas Party was an overwhelming success attended by a total of 425 kids and adults. The Christmas theme décor and the hugely popular Santa Claus (none other than Ladies Committee Member Monica Tandon) were a great combination. The kids tried their hand at various games, with Crazy Putting winning the most popular vote from all the teenagers.

STAFF CHRISTMAS PARTY - December 26Following the trend set the previous year, a Christmas party for staff children managed by the Ladies Section; this time however in a welcome change it was sponsored by the Club. 116 staff children and their 52 parents had a marvelous time – there were games and a magic show.

BASANT CELEBRATIONSA High Tea celebrating Basant was held at the Banquet Area. The décor was resplendent in yellow tones of Basant. The excellent tea and snacks were appreciated by the 80 members present who had sportingly dressed in yellow. Members enjoyed participating in the kite flying competition, played the flute, and tried their luck at the old-fashioned top spinning. The popular “Kite” inspired treasure hunt, was a huge success. Prizes were awarded to winners.

COACHING CLINICSA series of one-hour coaching clinics were conducted by Jasjit Singh for golf skills development. These classes on Putting, Chipping and Bunker play were limited to a maximum of 6 participants per session.

COMPETITION RESULTSOctober MedalWinner Anita Malhotra 2nd Hanisha Daryani 3rd EuiSukYun9-Hole Medal Winner Rama Khanna January Medal Winner Anuva Saurabh 2nd Neelam P. Rudy 3rd Reetu S.K. Singh9-Hole Medal Winner Vanita MalhotraFebruary Medal Winner Anjali Nagpal 2nd Kanwal Varma 3rd Simran Bajaj9-Hole Medal Winner Madhu R.K. Singh9-Hole Medal Winner Rama Khanna Runner-Up Madhu R.K. SinghMadho Pershad Cup (Nett Stroke Play) Winner Aashana Monga Runner-Up Anita MalhotraMiyako Cup (Eclectic Stableford) Winner Aashana MongaRawlley Salver (Eclectic Stableford) Winner EuiSukYun Runner-Up Anita MalhotraJind Cup Match Play Winner Shiraz Singh Runner-Up Sonaal ChaudhariRani Laxmi Trophy (Open Stroke Play) Winner Champika SayalOishi Cup (Open Stroke Play) Winner Neelam Sihota Runner-Up Hanisha DaryaniLili Fuentes (Stableford) Winner Champika SayalJogi Rao (Stableford) Winner Situ Puri Runner-Up Neelam SihotaLady Irwin Cup Winner Sita Nanda Runner-Up Sonaal Chaudhari

DELHI GOLF CLUB LTD. 1 1



7TH DGC LADIES OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP 2016The 7th DGC Ladies Open Amateur Golf Championship, sponsored by USHA, and the concurrently run Delhi Ladies Golf Week were played over the Lodhi and Peacock Courses from 14th to 17th November 2016; a total of 102 women participated.

Once again the youngsters proved they are all set to take over the golfing scene. DikshaDagarplayed3brilliantroundsof72,76&74towinat6over,whileSifatSagoowas4strokesbehindwithroundsof78,74&74.ThirdplacedAnikaVarmatoo proved that she will shortly be a talent to reckon with.

TheprestigiousJahanaraChallengeTrophywaswonbyyoungYavnikaDuhanwhoaced a hole-in-one at the 100th All India Ladies Championship, the following month.

The Pre Championship Dinner was held at the Swimming Pool area which was a welcome change from the regular venue. The demonetization drive could do nothing to dampen the spirits of the upbeat ladies who jived and sang to scintillating numbersbytheawesomeduoofSudha&Dudley.AditiAshok’swinofoftheHeroWomen’sIndianOpen2016earlierthatdayattheDLFGolf&CountryClubwasacause for further celebration as the first Indian winner of the tournament.

The Prize Distribution too, continued into another celebration, commemorating the memory of the first Lady Captain of a formalised Ladies Section, the Late Sita Rawlley. The sponsor and those present, along with Mrs. Rawlley’s daughter Radhika, were reminded of her gargantuan contribution to our Section, Club and golf.

LaDies section

CHAMPIONSHIP WInner Diksha Dagar Runner up Sifat Sagoo

3rd Anika Varma

4th Arshia Mahant

DLF CHALLENGE CUP Winner YavnikaDuhan

USHA GOLD TROPHY Winner Diksha Dagar

Runner-up Sifat Sagoo

Champianship winner Diksha Dagar

Director General IGU with Arshia Mahant

Lady Captain Ms Situ Nanda with Anjali Nagpal

Shifat Sago with DGC Captain Maj Gen K M S Shergill

DGC Captain with Swanter Ratia

Yavnika Duhan with DGC President Mr Siddharth Shriram

Celebrating DGC’s Sita Raulley’s huge contribution to Indian women’s golf

Sponsor Ms Chhaya Shriram presents the prize to the championship winner Diksha Dagar

AEPTA team members, winners of the Team Event with Director General IGU

JAHANARA CHALLENGE TROPHY Winner YavnikaDuhan Runner-Up Purnisha Gangarappa

SAMAN TROPHY Winner Swatanter Ratia Runner-Up Shalini Sheoran

MODI TROPHYWinner Sunita Katariya

SITA RAWLLEY SENIOR SALVERWinner Swatanter Ratia (Gross)

SITA RAWLLEY SENIOR SALVERWinner Swatanter Ratia (Nett)

LODHI SUPER SENIOR SALVERWinner Bunty Khanna

USHA JUNIOR GIRLS TROPHYWinner Diksha Dagar Runner-Up Sifat Sagoo (Gross)

USHA JUNIOR GIRLS TROPHYYavnikaDuhan(Nett)

3RD DAY STABLEFORD Malini Joshi

LODHI COURSE EVENTSUSHA “PEACOCK” PRIzEWinner Anita Malhotra

TALWAR TROPHYWinner Anita Malhotra

DGCLS SUPER SENIOR SALVERWinner Aruna Sharma

DGCLS SENIOR TROPHYWinner Anita Malhotra (Gross)

3RD DAY STABLEFORD Winner Veera Singh

PEACOCK COURSE EVENTS




The President, Captain and General Committee have

been busy these past few months brainstorming among themselves

as well as with club members at an Open House on…. This was followed a few weeks later by an

interactive meeting with members of the past ten GC’s. The President

is looking at the prospects for the DGC from four premises :

1. Manage the short term while preparing a positive vision for the

long term taking India, golf, DGC and present and future members into consideration. After all, there is life after the present generation.

2. Build a model that emphasizes that the General Committee is NOT an executive body. It is supervisory and the Executive is the Secretary who supervises skilled Heads of Department for the various executive function.

3. A clear adherence to DGC laid down rules and regulations and to make them more clear and contextual as good governance mandates.

4. While costs need to be controlled, broadly speaking, each area of activity should be surplus generating

The President, Siddharth Shriram is leading from the front and has put in many months of work to focus on the above. It was exciting to see the energy and enthusiasm with which this aim is being pursued, and I share here with you all my first hand interactions at the Open House and meetings with the President. The plans are multipronged – please do go through thiswith a view to suggestions, ideas, positives&negatives etc. It is of utmost importance that we members, ALL of us, whichever category of membership we hold be it A, M/W, C, Depandent, Corporate, Tenure, Foreign Category, Every Single One of Us – take an interest. The Club belongs to us and it is surely in one’s interest to see that we maintain and improve upon this gol(f)d mine that we are fortunate enough to be bestowed with.

We members must request via letters and emails to be kept updated regarding proceedings, and be present in large numbers to interact at subsequent Open Houses planned throughout the year – Mr Siddharth Shriram is committed to not keeping the Club membership in the dark. So lets be unanimous in our choice to be among the Top 100 Golf Clubs in the World.

So many of us have the expertise and desire to contribute. This is not the time to hold back! There will be many pessimists out there who feel, and rightly so, “Oh plans are made by each successive GC, but NOTHING new ever happens nor is any action taken”. Each voice matters. And the President has his sleeves rolled up ……

At the Open House almost the entire GC was present at the head, to receive inputs on a well prepared and circulated agenda as well as receive a barrage of questions, complaints and so forth. For the first time not just the Secretary (the Chief Executive), but also all Department Heads were on hand to hear members’ views. A feeling of involvement of all members as well as staff has been initiated. This is truly welcome.

The President informed that as the 180 acres on which we stand is owned by the government which leases the land to the DGC, it exercises its right over the Club and hence major developmental activity can take place only with solid

eDitoR’s picK

PITCH MARK REPAIR / BUNKER RAKING / DIVOT REPLACING

IT IS THE PLAYERS DIRECT RESPONSIBILITY.

IF CADDIES DO IT FOR THEM, PLAYERS MUST OBSERVE THE CADDY COMPLETING THE TASK

PLAYERS MUST ALERT PLAYING PARTNERS TO DO LIKEWISE

300 PITCH MARKS DAILY, ON EACH GREEN, CAN BE EFFECTIVELY ATTENDED TO BY YOUR CARE.

Ask your Caddy to fix at least one plus one.

Better Greens and Fairways reduce maintenance costs.Better Greens and Fairways reduce closure periods before major tournaments.Better Greens and Fairways make it more fun for all players.

Rate your caddy accordingly

After a hiatus of several months the Editorial Team welcomes members back with this bumper issue that records, updates and informs of events past, present and future.

We are also delighted to confirm the continued association of our Club and Rolex!




Alongside the GC’s aim to potentially redesign and upgrade the Lodhi Course the inputs from experienced and expert players who have played at

the top level in different parts of the world will be greatly valued.

Set in sylvan and historic surroundings, this classical course was carved out of ancient forests about seven decades ago. This course, which is only 7100 yards long, was designed to challenge even the best players in the world owing to the forests that bound every hole and which used to easily catch wayward shots causing a loss of possibly a stroke and certainly distance. The course was redesigned to include the Peacock Course by the 5-time British Open champion Peter Thomson in 1971, and while there have been some tinkering over the last 40 odd years, the basic design still subsists.

In the meantime with many significant and technological improvements in equipment even the most famous courses in the world needed to be “Tiger-Proofed”. Because of the classical nature of the Lodhi Course (the Peacock Course underwent drastic changes a couple of years ago), such design changes have not been necessary: witness that the World No 1 Ernie Els almost missed cut at the European Tour event in 2008. However if long hitting great players stay on the fairway, the present course can easily yield birdies and eagles. It is the belief of the GC that in our case, very seldom, the course needs to be ‘reset’ within its various constraints as follows.

1 Climate – Extremes from frosty winters to boiling summers to heavy monsoons causing water-logging.

2 Footfalls – probably the busiest course in the world with almost 100,000 rounds annually.

3 Demography – general aging population desiring greater cart usage.

4 Pace of Play – a 4 ¼ hour round can take 5 hours and more.

5 Flora – Trees cannot be cut. Trees/bushes/flowering plants local to Delhi only to be used. Palms, dracaenas etc are totally alien to our environment.

General Guidelines:Though the course would be redesigned to create challenges at professional tournaments, it must be kept in mind that the average bogey golfer must have fun through his round.

The 9th hole should finish at the annexe (as was the case decades ago) to allow for better viewing during tournaments.

It is not intended to tamper with the basic hole-shaping. However by the addition of more trees and other flora, the basic shape can be enhanced to make the course more challenging.

Locating viewing platforms strategically at certain vantage points.

The fairways which have flattened out over time causing most shots to be hit off flat surfaces, need to be contoured. Presently the first and second cuts trap wayward shots saving them from ending in the jharies which would cause stroke and distance – to be reduced.

Provision for temporary greens.

Fairway bunkers to be modified to allow balls to roll in rather than be saved; bunker walls to have excellent grassing; excellent drainage.

Greenside bunkers: sand should not fly onto the greens. Readily available sand to be used.

Green fringes should be raised at least slightly to challenge mishit rolling shots.

Greens – these require intense changes to make them more challenging, including green speeds of 11 to 13 on the stimp meter. Perhaps consider reducing the size of greens to tighten/lengthen the course and also reduce maintenance expenses.

Please note: If there are 300 people who play daily, it translates into 300 landings per green, equaling 300 pitchmarks. Around 900 divots per day as well. And about 1800 sets of footprints in bunkers. If we members do not shoulder our responsibility in repairing our damage where required there is no question of our course conditions improving. Please do look at the extent of the problem – only we the members can sort this out. All it takes is a few seconds after one’s shot. A mere few seconds. If we don’t respect our own course and Club, who else will?

Members, it is the President’s personal request that you write in with your complaints and suggestions. Barrage your Committee! From the next issue we plan to start a Letters to the Editor page and we hope to be inundated with your mails.

eDitoR’s picK the pResiDent’s pLan

Lodhi CoURSE UPGRAdATioN




government support. Given the context of India heading towards becoming the 3rd largest economy in the world, and that power is just 500 meters from the DGC, our Club must keep pace with being on the high table as far as golf clubs go. The Ministry of Tourism has taken a decision back in 2013, that golf was to be developed as a major lever for tourism. The Club cannot lose any more time to use the Ministry’s very well laid out policy to its advantage.

CLUB HOUSE: DINING ROOM, BAR, RECEPTION AND CARD ROOM

The main entrance to the Club is to be redesigned as the staircase is positively dangerous and the Reception facility is inadequate. The floor and wall coverings of the Dining Room and Bar to be made sound absorbing to reduce noise.

THE PUB & GYM

Redoing of the Pub and the Gym with a view to extending the Pub to include the present Gym area. This is a very beautifully situated part of the Club and should be used to its best advantage.

The Health Club and Gym to be upgraded and hopefully shifted to the area presently being used for golf bag storage.

BUILDING OF NEW FACILITIESBuilding of a Golf Academy adjacent to the PDR.

Redoing the Office premises.

Building a comprehensive shed for capital equipment and workshop.

PERFORMANCE OF CLUB EXECTUTIVESThe Committee has seriously considered the aspect that the Secretary is to be the Chief Executive but it has so worked out that, the Secretary has each of the Committee members as his boss. The Secretary does not have the easy flexibility of his own time to manage the several executive functions. Therefore, the Committee has decided that for three hours a day the Secretary will not be available to members, including GC members, so that he may perform his duties, and a GC member’s role is to be supervisory which is to set Key Result Areas (KRAs) for each function (which is certainly over and above the natural jobs of those Heads of Departments for which they are already paid the salary) and receive the supervisory reports against those KRAs and for the normal functioning of the club.

Top class executives should be retained in the Club and suitable disciplinary action taken if they do not perform. The cash draining Wage Agreement of 2015 is to be studied with a view to seeing how this could be rescinded.

Furthermore, the GC consists of only 12 elected persons from the ‘A’ category while the talent pool of the membership of the Club extends to over 5000 members. With the intention of being able to tap into this talent pool, and the talent pool consists of highly skilled persons in many of the activities that the Cub performs, it is intended to alter the Bye Laws of the Club to allow at least two non-committee members from any class of membership, provided they are skilled in relative function, to be on the Sub Committees that advise the General Committee.

PROPER TRAINING OF STAFFThough last May a Staff Training Programme was conducted by the previous Committee, things have not improved despite eight sessions. This needs some serious reviewing. The Club wouldbegratefulforassistanceintrainingofourF&Bstaff.

PROPER TABULATION & TRAINING OF CADDIESWe understand that this Club management is seriously undertaking the review of caddy’s duties and structure including uniform. The present caddy shack is a shame for a Club of our stature. It is planned to install showers and look into a nutritious alternative to the present dhaba which serves below par food; though the caddies are not our employees, we can still look after them better. They need coolers for the hot summer months, and a nice large TV. Members are encouraged to take a look and come back with suggestions, and perhaps even contribute to the upgrade in cash or kind.

The duties of the Starters, the Caddy Masters, Marshalls, Golf Operations Head etc are all being looked into for better overall performance. It would be a good idea if the Caddy Masters are made responsible for the general presentation of a caddy – if he is not in a clean uniform, if he is not bathed and shaved, if he is not carrying a pitch mark repairer, he must not be allowed any duties that day.

CULTURE DEVELOPMENTIts not possible for the Club to try to achieve a higher status without a review of its inherent culture. Atop the heap is the fact that our Club is primarily for the promotion of the game of golfonly.Everythingelse,F&B,SwimmingPool,HealthClub,Entertainment etc must come a distinct, far second.

RECIPROCITY:Club members are travelling all over the world and equally some of the world is travelling to India. It behooves a Club like DGC to have reciprocity, which allows our members access to some of the best clubs in the world as they travel and of course we must offer our Club to visitors from reciprocal clubs worldwide. About 100 clubs all over the world are being targeted.

the pResiDent’s pLan




GRATUITY:A draft order for “NO TIPPING” of staff was put out and several comments have been received. These will now be considered and a fiscal policy will be ordered which is likely to be a hybrid of various suggestions but will definitely ban “bribing” to get extraspecialtreatmentonthegolfcourseandinF&B.

Infected with this enthusiasm and the positive reaction at the Open House I felt this to be a good opportunity to share my thoughts on the ‘Road to the 100 Best Clubs’. Kudos to the Tournament Committee to have restarted Club Competitions – there is a wealth of history stored in the silver trophies which so far lay tarnishing in cabinets. Hopefully the Club Championship, the Walter Locke Trophy open matchplay, will be reinstated this year. The Club Championship for Ladies, the Vicerene Salver which is conducted by the Ladies Section has not been played for many years due to lack of entries. These competitions must be given their due respect and honour boards suitably created. We have already lost so much history. There was a time a few decades ago when Club Competition results were published in all the major newspapers. It would be an added asset to the Tournament Sub-Committee if some of its members had been competitors of some stature in the past; non-GC members with similar credentials could to be incorporated to bring back a strong competitive culture in the Club.

In a similar vein, I have felt for many years now that the Club should honour its Golfing Legends – there are too many to

name here, but for starters looking at the Honour Board of the Arjuna Awardees, it should be a matter of great pride to us members that each one of them is a member of the DGC! However this is not mentioned anywhere. Our guests should also have the opportunity to realize the worth of our members. I truly feel that the history and pride of our Club will be lost if it is not immediately noted for posterity - the great golfers it has produced, both amateurs and professionals, not forgetting the women and even juniors. I am not sure how many members are aware that three of our members hold the record for five National titles each: PG ‘Billoo’ Sethi, AS Malik and Vikramjit Singh. Or that three of the Arjuna Awardees are women members: Anjani Desai, Sita Rawlley and Nonita Lall Qureshi. Let our history not get buried along with the tombs. It is my suggestion that an important area such as the Main Bar be dedicated to these stalwarts, with a photograph and elegant plaque of each one of them adorning the walls. The Maurya Hotel opened a Golf Bar dedicated to three golfers, our members it happens, about 20 years ago – it is high time we create a Wall of DGC Golf Legends.

The GC could take a leaf out of the Ladies Section’s book - they have been hosting inter-club competitions for 15 years. The Club could host something similar inviting clubs from the NCR and perhaps even include clubs from major metropolises.

The individual needs of different type of golfer, be they seniors, juniors, women, mid-amateurs, beginners etc. with the aim to improve their golfing standard could be addressed via coaching clinics.TheClubhasamongestitsmembersR&Arefereeswhocould conduct interactive rules clinics with members.

Perhaps the Club could have a Staff Rating System which would require members’ participation, and declare a ‘Staff of the Month’, with a reasonable cash prize. This could encourage our staff to be more hands-on.

At present we have a single across the board caddy fee for all caddies, regardless of their experience, knowledge and golfing expertise - some of them even play the Indian pro tours. It is my suggestion that caddies ought to be graded, and their fees should be respective to their expertise. Caddies could wear name badges in different colours as per grading. We should restart member - assisted English - speaking and ettiquette classes for caddies to help boost their confidence.

Members your communication will be published in Letters to the Editor column in future issues. We look forward to being overwhelmed by your inputs.

Soni M Singh, Editor


DGC Could follow R&A’s “Ready Golf”The stroke-play portion of this year’s British Amateur will feature “ready golf” as the Royal and Ancient experiments with ways to improve pace of play.

Chief Executive Martin Slumbers said that after everyone in the group has teed off, players will be encouraged to play when ready during the 36-hole qualifier, instead of following Rule 10-1b, which states the player farthest from the hole plays first.

“Readygolf”isoneoftherecommendationsintheR&A’space of play manual.

Slumbers said, “The more evidence that I’ve seen this year, the more I’m going to continue talking about it because I think it is increasingly important to the development of the game.”

We Club members could embrace this as it is taking longer and longer to finish a round.




M A R C H 2 0 1 7Issue No. 91 900 MEMBERS CELEBRATEd NEW yEAR’S EVE AT A fUN-fILLEd EVENINg ON THE MAIN LAWN. MUSIC WAS pROVIdEd By dJ NIMIT.

MOET’S pROVIdEd A dELICIOUS MULTI-CUSINE BUffET. dIAgEO & pERNOd RICARd CAME ON AS dRINKS SpONSORS fOR THE EVENINg

new YeaR’s eVe 2016





900 MEMBERS CELEBRATEd NEW yEAR’S EVE AT A fUN-fILLEd EVENINg ON THE MAIN LAWN. MUSIC WAS pROVIdEd By dJ NIMIT. MOET’S pROVIdEd A dELICIOUS MULTI-CUSINE BUffET. dIAgEO & pERNOd RICARd CAME ON AS dRINKS SpONSORS fOR THE EVENINg





Over the years a number of our top professionals have given us a sense

of pride when the Indian flag has been spotted on the first page of the score sheet – Anirban Lahiri, Jeev M Singh, Arjun Atwal, Jyoti Randhawa to name a few. Fact - they are all men! After a gap of many years a woman has risen to the top – In 1997 Simi Mehra set the pace for other golfers to follow in her footsteps. (She won 25 amateur tournaments in Asia before becoming India’s first player on the LPGA by qualifying for the tour in 1996. She won three times on the what is now the lower level Symetra Tour and posted two top-10 finished on the LPGA Tour).

But Indian women’s professional golf was just not being able to climb into the upper berth. About 18 months ago 18-year old Aditi Ashok burst onto the international amateur, and then professional golf scene with victory after astounding victory! She covered herself in glory by becoming one of the youngest amateurs to win the prestigious St Rules Trophy at St Andrews in June 2015 where she not only led from the start but also equaled the women’s record of 8-under 67 for the New Course. Two months later she won the Ladies British Amateur Stroke Play Golf Championship shooting a total of 11-under 285, also claiming the overall title The Nicholls Trophy as well the Dinwiddy Trophy given for the lowest score by an U-18 player.

And then came the Rio Olympics. In August2016LisaDMickeyofNewYorkTImes wrote in her article which featured a photograph of Aditi, “Unknown to the world was India’s Aditi Ashok, at 18 the youngest player in the field; she was tied after two rounds with a pair of 68’s. Ashok ultimately finished 41st shooting 7-over par in the 72-hole event. But her performance the first two days was a reminder that being represented in golf at the Rio Games was important for a

country like India. “I’m so happy that I qualified to represent my country,” Ashok told the news media early in the tournament. “We don’t have that many girls playing, and this will definitely boost the popularity of the game in India.”

Aditi grew from strength to strength winning two Ladies European Tour events back to back, it inspired Lisa D Mickey to now do a half page article exclusively on her in theNewYorkTimesonFebruary4th2016.

“Indian Teenager Begins a Lonely Climb in Women’s Golf”

Aditi Ashok is only 18 years old, but like any inspiring golfer she knows the story of Ok Hee Ku and Se Ri Park, who in the 1980’s and ‘90’s changed women’s golf by starting the South Korean wave.

Ashok may be that trailblazer for India. She was among the early leaders in the women’s tournament at the 2016 Rio Olympics and parlayed that experience into two victories in the fall on the European Tour, where she earned top rookie honours for 2016 and finished second in earnings with seven top-10 finishes.

Golf is an emerging sport somewhere behind cricket, soccer, field hockey and tennis in India, a nation of more than 1.3 billion people. But that may change soon thanks to players like Ashok.

Anirban Lahiri is the only native of India with full status on the PGA Tour, Arjun Atwal remains the only Indian winner on the PGA Tour with his 2010 victory at the Wyndham Championship. But no Indian has even won an LPGA Tour event. Ashok at 100 is the highest-ranked Indian woman since Simi Mehra who played on the tour for several years beginning in 1997 and attained a career-high ranking of 17. Only six Indian women are currently world ranked compared with 148 Indian men.

Ashok found herself in the spotlight when she returned home as an Olympian last summer. Weeks later she won the LET event in India and added a second win the next week in Qatar. “There was clearly a huge sense of pride from the local crowd when Aditi won the Hero Women’s Indian Open,” said Beth Cutler of the LET. She

Aditi’s first professional win: Hero Women’s Indian Open

aDiti ashoK scRipts histoRY in goLf




called Ashok’s win a ‘game changer for female golfers” in India.

When asked what she thought it would take for her country to embrace golf, Ashok was pragmatic, “ It’s not just about golf, and it takes more than talent. It’s the culture. Its about sports in general”.

With significantly fewer women playing the game in India, it took more than a decade for the small pro Women’s Golf Association of India to grow to 30 members.

The number of Indian women playing pro golf still lags behind the number of female pros in many other Asian nations. At the 2016 Women’s Indian Open only 17 of the 113 players were Indians. The growth of the WIO has become a visible milestone since the first one started in 2007 by Champika Sayal (S-589), Simi Mehra and others – 43 years after the men’s inaugural national championship.

Aditi passed another milestone in December when she earned high conditional status at the LPGA’s annual qualifying tournament in Florida, which will allow her to play in a number of tour events and give her the opportunity to move up should she play well. “What she has achieved is truly remarkable,” said Mehra.

“I think our country never thought that we could have contenders in golf,” Ashok said. “But if golfers from a small country like Korea have success, it can be done by top players from India”

So is women’s golf in India really on the up? Amandeep Drall, Vani Kapoor and Neha Tripathi created history by qualifying for the LET 2017 with full card status in Category 8 after finishing T7, 18th and 25th respectively in the final stage of the Q-School in Morocco. Sharmila Nicollet and Saaniya Sharma bagged conditional cards, making it five more women to compete internationally this year. So yes, women are going places. But we need dozens if not 100’s more players of this caliber. The combined efforts of the Government and the IGU, along with committed sponsors is the call of the day.

Aditi’s Journey

Aditi embraced golf at 5 1/2 at the Bangalore Golf Club when

she saw players hitting balls. She got onto the green with a putter, and stayed there for two hours. It wasn’t long before she started to play competitive golf sharpening her short game as she couldn’t outhit the boys. At age 13 she defeated Simi in a pro event in a playoff. She knew then she wanted to be a professional. She has the unique distinction of being the only golfer to have played in the Asian YouthGames,YouthOlympicGames,Asian Games and the Olympics. She has represented India several times as a junior and an amateur from 2010-2014. And won the Ladies All India Amateur Golf title three times.

Apart from her amateur and pro wins, she also aimed for and won the RookieoftheYeartitle.Shesaidthatshe was playing really well through the year and was consistently in the top-10, trying to give herself chances to be in winning positions.

She finished 2nd on the LET Order of Merit, courtesy her two wins and 7 top-10 finishes.

In four months she climbed in the Rolex Rankings for women from 441 to 99 – that shows consistency along with huge talent, focus and dedication.

She has gone into 2017 with a full member Category 3A (LET Ranking Tournament Winners) with full status for the next two years. She also has her conditional LPGA Tour card. Now its time for the majors…..

Aditi’s on the 18th Tee at the Qatar Open

aDiti ashoK scRipts histoRY in goLf nationaL goLf scene




The Indian Golf Union chose our Club as the host venue of the milestone 100th USHA All India Ladies Amateur Golf Championship from 12th-18th December 2016.

A glittering affair from start to finish, both on and off the course, the top players in the country took on the best from as far across the globe as Ireland and Scotland all the way to South Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. Accompanied by Team Captains and delegates, invitees and dignitaries, the event showcased India, Indian women’s golf and our Club in grand style. Usha International, no stranger to Delhi Golf Club’s junior and ladies golf, provided the essential support and sponsorship, that made it all possible. The Opening Ceremony set the bar for the ‘off-course’ activities as the Billoo Sethi did for the ‘on-course’ prowess of the field. Several past convenors and champions were in attendance, including Simi Mehra who became the first Indian to play on the LPGA and Nonita L. Qureshi (L-089) who won the Championship an incredible 6 times!

The matchplay Championship’s pre-qualifier, The Billoo Sethi Challenge Trophy, provided the keenly contested

cLUB matteRs

100TH USHA ALL INDIA LADIES AMATEUR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

USHA All India LadiesAmateur Golf Championship 2016

th

100The International Teams with their Captains and DGC’s President Siddharth Shriram

Resplendent in Red; Past Chairpersons & Convenors (l to r) Anuva Saurabh, Anupama Singh, Champika Sayal, Soni M Singh, Chander Talwar, Pauline JM Singh, Manisha Jaitha and Sonia Malhotra

Prize winners of the Billoo Sethi Challange Trophy with Mrs Prem “Billoo” Sethi and some of his family members

Chairperson Pauline lights the ceremonial lamp with Past Champions Simi Mehra and Shiraz Singh




cLUB matteRs igU toURnament

stroke play event the opportunity for several Indians to cause a flurry of excitement. Ananya Barthakur (ST-984), a member of DGC’s Talent Promotion Programme led on Day 1 with a 73 and, dependent member Seher Atwal (A-144) playing fabulous golf, despite stepping straight off a plane from the US, lost by a single shot to Malaysia’s Nur Durriah Damien. The family of Maj. P.G. ‘Billoo’ Sethi, headed by wife Prem hosted all the players for the two days and were present in force to hand over the prizes on the eve of the All India Championship. Champika Sayal (S-589) won the 2-Day Putter of the Tournament Prize.

The Agarwal International Team event, also played concurrently with the Billoo Sethi had a field of nine teams participating. Malaysia “A” were the winners and Singapore just nosed out on count back India “B”, comprising Seher Atwal and Sifat Sagoo, to claim second spot.

The morning of the Championship dawned cold and foggy but did nothing to dampen the 32 qualifiers’ spirits. Over the next three days surprises and expectations kept the suspense aloft with many matches going beyond 18 holes. The 36-hole final saw India’s No. 1 Diksha Dagar, take on Nur Durriah Damien; playing hot golf, Nur’s experience and 355 WAGR ranking paved the way to an easy victory. However, none of this took away from the creditable performance of the young runner-up who thoroughly enjoyed the Prize Distribution sitting next to Badminton Olympian and Medalist SainaNehwal.MinisterofSport&YouthAffairs Shri Vijay Goel graciously gave away the Championship prizes after promising, in his address, to support the game and worthy as well as encourage and assist small towns, across the country, to promote golf along with a plethora of other sports in compact, multi-use facility programmes. He applauded the international participation and spoke of the Government’s wish to promote ‘golf tourism’. For this he sought the assistance of the IGU.

100TH USHA ALL INDIA LADIES AMATEUR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

Sponsor Krishna Shriram with Mehar Atwal, Seher Atwal, Simi Mehra and Past Champion Seema Sobti

The semi-finalists with the IGULC Chairperson Pauline JM Singh

Mr. Vijay Goel, (right) with DGC Presient and Krishan Varma

Mr. Vijay Goel, Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Saina Nehwal with the champion and runner-up

Nonita L Qureshi conducting a special Golf Clinic for all participants

Shiv Kapur’s Clinic posed a challenge to one of the international players

Olympian Saina Nehwal presents youngster Vanshika Batra with her ‘Badminton’ prize

Past Champion Vandana Agarwal & DGC Captain Maj Gen KMS Shergill do the honours for the Ceremonial Tee off

DGC Captain with Champika Sayal, Putter of the Tournament

Saina with Sifat Sagoo (left) and Seher Atwal

Pauline JM Singh acknowledges Nonita L Qureshi’s golfing career




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The 1ST INDIA-SOUTH AFRICA FRIENDSHIP CUP was flagged off a few days prior to the 116th Men’s All India Amateur Golf Championship at the RCGC in Kolkata, The teams comprised of four players each in the Senior and Mid Amateur Categories. The tournament was played in both match play and stroke play formats, with South Africa winning the former and India coming our victorious in the strokeplay matches. Amit Luthra (L-085) was a part of the Indian Seniors team. This is an IGU initiation with the South Africa Golf Federation and it will be an annual feature with both countries hosting the event alternate years. The sponsors for this series are IGU Council Member Dilip Thomas and Johan Rupert. Now that the government is planning to support the sport more aggressively it is hoped that more such tournaments will be initiated.

PANASONIC OPENOn December 4th local veteran Mukesh Kumar completed a wire-to-wire victory at the weather-shortened Panasonic Open India played over the Lodhi Course, to claim his first Asian Tour title by a single shot on Sunday.

Kumar, who had a two-shot advantage heading into the third and final round, closed with a two-under-par 70 for a winning total of 10-under, 206 at the US $400,000 Asian Tour event, which was reduced to 54 holes, due to fog disruptions.

Kumar’s victory at 51 years and 126 days made him the oldest winner on the Asian Tour. Indian duo Jyoti Randhawa and Rashid Khan closed with matching 68’s to share second place.

The ever popular Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka beamed his way through his round of 70, for his third consecutive top-five finish at the Panasonic Open India. He is the only non-Indian to finish inside the top-10 at this Asian Tour event.

Mukesh, who has 123 titles on the domestic circuit was ecstatic over his career’s biggest win after 32 years as a professional.

Jyoti, bidding for a 9th Asian Tour win and a fifth at the DGC, made a charge to catch Mukesh with his fourth birdie of the day on the 15th hole. Mukesh kept his cool by holing a 20-footer for his birdie and a 1 shot lead again, which he maintained with steady pars on the last three holes.

Sung Lee of Korea provided some excitement in the second round when he struck the second hole-in-one of his career. His eight-iron from 171 yards on the par-three 5th hole earned him a BMW.

It is a matter of pride for the DGC to see three of their past Talent Promotion Programme ‘caddy boys’ in the top-10: youngsters Rashid Khan at T2, followed by Honey Baisoya at 5th position and Kapil Kumar at T7. All of them were granted playing rights by our Club and have participated in the hugely successful JTP Coaching Camps summer after summer.

Mukesh Kumar receives the winner’s trophy from the Club President Mr. Siddharth Shriram

Indian Team in Red (L-R): Amit Luthra, Anil Jule, Sanjay Kolhatkar, Vijay Kumar Bhadana, Aditya Khaitan, Kailash Dhiwar, Simarjeet Singh, H S Kang, Lakshman Singh

South African Team in Green (L-R): David Younge, Stefan Bloemaaert, Frances Le Roux, Steven Williams, Shaun Stapleton, Jock Wellington, Gerlou Roux, Josef Fourie, Morgan Phillips.




DGC hosted the 4th CWT Charity Members Golf Tournament on February 17th 2017. A whopping 300 plus members participated in the annual fund raising initiative of the Caddies Welfare Trust aimed at providing sustainable financial support to help improve the lives of the caddies. Almost 50 sponsors stepped up to support the cause and members were sent home laden with goodies, and lucky draw prizes generously donated.

Youngestparticipant,12-yearoldShubamJaglanemergedOverallGrossWinnerwithascoreof73fromRohanSood(SD-1240) who grossed a 74! The CWT, in conjunction with their principal donor SRF Welfare Trust, newly instituted a Bharat Ram Prize for the Overall Nett Winner, which was won by Kuldip Sarna (S-493), with Shivinder Singh (S-257) as Runner-Up.

A first ever, the caddy of the main winners each received a Rs. 6000/- voucher, courtesy Zaverchand Sports, for a pair of golf shoes. The three ‘best turned out’ caddies were awarded a Firefox Bike and mobile phones.

4TH CADDIES WELFARE TRUST (CWT) CHARITY MEMBERS TOURNAMENT

RESULTS

CWT OVERALL GROSS

Winner Shubham Jaglan Gross 73

Runner-Up Rohan Sood (SD-1240) Gross 74

BHARAT RAM PRIzE OVERALL NETT

Winner Kuldip Sarna (S-493) 69

Runner-Up Ashvin Chadha (SD-550) 71

9 HOLES

Winner RM Sodhi (S-376) 18 Pts C/Back

Runner-Up S Batra 18 Pts

“A” CATEGORY (H’CAP 0 TO 15)

Winner Ashvin Chadha (SD-550) 35 Pts

Runner-Up Shivinder Singh (S-257) 34 Pts C/Back

“B” CATEGORY (H’CAP 16 TO 24)

Winner Kuldip Sarna (S-493) 37 Pts

Runner-Up GPS Paintal (P-209) 34 Pts C/Back

Overall Gross Winner 12 Year old Shubham Jaglan

Overall Gross Runner-Up Rohan Sood

“A” Category Winner Ashvin Chadha & daughter with Kartik Bharat Ram

“A” Category Runner-Up Shivinder Singh with Kartik Bharat Ram

9 Hole Winner RM Sodhi receives his prize from Kartik Bharat Ram

“B” Category Runner-Up GPS Paintal with Kartik Bharat Ram

Bharat Ram Prize Nett Winner Kuldip Sarna with Ashish Bharat Ram

Col. PP Rewari receives his prize from Zahaan Qureshi

Delighted Lucky Draw winners Mr. Dushyant Dave hands over the prizes to the Best Turned Out caddies

Rajan Kapoor hands over Lucky Draw prizes to Rahul Raina & Capt. Ravinder K. Mehta

Secretary Rajiv Hora wins top Lucky Draw prize from Shubham Jaglan

The caddies of winners were presented generous vouchers courtesy Titleist

Vinod Tandon collects his Lucky Draw prize from Prabhash Jain

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Parul, Shekhar Suman, Saif Hyder Hasan and Deepti Naval engaging with the audience Shekhar Suman and Deepti Naval

EK MULAQAAT

With the recently held India-Africa Forum Summit seeing the largest turnout of African leaders in India, I was reminded of an incident from the early 1980’s. One too has had a few encounters of the Africa kind.

On the sidelines of a Rajiv Gandhi Foundation seminar, I had asked Zambia’s former President Kenneth Kaunda if he would like a round of golf. A bit taken aback, coming as it did from an absolute ‘nobody’, he replied that there was no time to spare. His love for the game must have got the better of him, however, because then his Aide-de-Camp came to me saying that a 9-hole game could be possible. So, I moved fast and arranged a foursome with the former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Gary Saxena and Dorothy Zender, the Swiss Ambassador’s wife. Our Club rose to the occasion, found a size 11 pair of shoes for ‘Kenneth Sir’, arranged a VIP tee off and stylish tea to follow, after the game. Our guest was charm personified and was ‘tall’ in every sense of the word, telling us how he had introduced peacocks on the golf course in Lusaka. A photographer also materialized from somewhere and Kaunda and his caddy – dhoti-clad Deshram, in his Gandhi topi, were seen on the Sports page in next morning’s Statesman. In the caddies’ circle, Deshram was referred to as ‘Member’, since he had once contested the UP elections!

Commodore Mukund B Kunte AVSM (K-209 )

Club members were in for a treat on February 18 when they watched two of India’s top actors perform on the Main Lawn. Ek Mulaqaat by Playwright and Director Saif Hyder Hasan saw a minimal set depicting the terrace of poetess Amrita Pritam’s Nizamuddin residence on a wintry evening. Sahir Ludhianvi who was romanticised as the love of her life, visits her, and their unbridled stream of couplets in both Urdu and Punjabi filled the audience with sadness for a love unrealized. Deepti Naval and Shekhar Suman, who were brilliant in this 66th showing of the play, were awestruck themselves at performing for the first time outdoors, that too on a wintry evening which created the right mood. As the play ended on a sad note; and the haunting calls of a muster of peacocks at the swimming pool area started to resonate on cue it would seem, a lament for her loss. The rapt attention of the audience and minimal movement was a welcome addition.

TheF&BCommitteedidacredivablejobofsustenancebywayofregularfoodstallsandawellstockedbaratnormalrates for the 450 members who attended.

cLUB matteRs

Reaching the Staff retirement age of 58, three employees

of the Club left our employ in the last few months. ML Gupta, Clerk in the Accounts Department (after 23

years) and Harphool, Senior Waiter (after 39 years) were

bid fond farewells at special parties held for them in the

Dining Room. Both were presented with silver salvers

to honour their respective tenures at the Club. Jeevan Singh, Barman, retiring after 38 years, received his

farewell salver in the Secretary’s office.

ML Gupta wtih Rajeev Vohra, Secretary

Jeevan Singh Harphool

CLUB STAFF RETIRED




cLUB matteRs memBeRs matteR

hUmoUR

Date Name M’ship No Hole30.09.16 Abhimanyu Khanna K-649 1707.10.16 Vinay Khera K-410 1707.10.16 Capt Vinod K Chawla C-308 1708.10.16 Sanjay Narayen N-152 1708.10.16 Navjeet Singh Sobti CPA-127 1708.10.16 Masakazu Sakakida SP-1121 1709.10.16 Vikram Tuli SP-1110 1213.10.16 Govind S Mann M-441 1223.10.16 Harinder S Sikka CPA-142 1725.10.16 Deepak Shourie CPB-168 1727.10.16 Maj Gen M S Ahluwalia A-116 1701.11.16 Rajan Kapoor CPA-160 1206.11.16 Sumeer Bedi B-584 506.11.16 Ashish Kumar TC-441 1211.11.16 Rohit Talwar T-138 12

HOLE-IN-ONECongratulations on the Aces!

LODHI COURSE: The following each have won a memento and a bottle of Ballantine’s whisky (for those 25years and above) to be consumed at the Club.

PEACOCK COURSE: The following each have won a memento

Date Name M’ship No Hole

13.10.16 Romesh C Gupta SP-1135 3

15.10.16 Angad Veer Singh Dugal K-677D 6

05.11.16 Surveer Singh S-812D 3

15.11.16 Deepak Dhar Gupta G-297 6

Date Name M’ship No Hole18.11.16 Neel Tandon T-171 520.11.16 Rohit Mehra M-570 1708.12.16 Nipender Kochhar K-622 1208.12.16 Dr Sanjiv Kalra K-646 713.12.16 Dipak Raj Sood CPC-81 1721.12.16 Vikramjit Singh V-040 531.12.16 Rohit Mehra M-570 701.01.17 Prashant Khosla K-709 1703.01.17 Satya Pal Tohani SP-1098 1720.01.17 Mohd Shafi Goroo G-286 1227.01.17 Mohit Goyal CPB-138 501.02.17 Brig B Virmani V-064 1202.02.17 Col HN Singh S-250 1709.02.17 CS Pantal P-239 728.12.16 Aziz Malhotra M-552 7

Date Name M’ship No Hole23.11.16 Bhim Sain Bassi B-586 510.01.17 Ram Nath Batta SD-1430 503.02.17 Deepak Chopra C-222 129.01.17 Jaiveer S Atwal SD-1494 711.02.17 Rita Kocchar K-622 1

A US citizen vacationing in Ireland decided to play a round of golf

and is paired with three local gents.

He takes a few practice swings, steps up to the first tee and proceeds to hook the ball out of bounds. He shakes his head, reaches in his pocket and re-tees another ball. He tells his playing partners that he is taking a Mulligan and pounds one 280 yards down the centre of the fairway.

With a big smile he asks the others, “In the US we call that a Mulligan; was wondering what you call it here in Ireland.”

After a moment of silence one of the locals replies, “Hitting three.”

I was playing with this 85-year old man recently on a course I was unfamiliar with. On the 3rd hole, I asked him whats the best part of the fairway to be on, and he replied, “The top”.




Most club and weekend golfers I teach

come with a common issue which

plagues their ball striking no end.

INCONSISTENCY seems to be the

bane of most golfers. Though there

are many aspects to inconsistent

strikes, the two most glaring mistakes

I see are OFF BALANCE swings, and

what we professionals term in golf as

DISSCONNECTION. This relates to

an unsynchronized action of the arms

relative to the upper body through the

swing.

A series of three articles related to three

simple fundamentals that I propose to

pen down for our readers WILL help you

improve your ball striking, lower your

scores, and help you enjoy the game

more than ever.

In this issue we have a few visuals of Do’s

and Don’ts relating to CONNECTION

which you might try to emulate at your

next practice session. Assuredly, if you

can identify these positions of Do’s vs

the Don’t’s, you will have success to

a great extent. Alternately, if you are

maintaining the Do’s already then you are

at a considerably higher level of expertise

than the high handicapper and would

be an above average ball striker I can

guarantee.

Seek help from your golf professional to

assist you through the process. We have

amongst the best in the country at our club.

Enjoy your game!

Correct address position

Perfect elbows through impact

Bad mid backswing position with elbows flaring away from

each other

Recommended takeaway elbow position

Great elbow extension

Elbows positions which are not recommended through impact

Good elbow/s position at the backswing

Good balanced finish with elbows pointing to the ground

Elbows too far apart at finish

For all categories of club and weekend golfers

CONNECT YOUR BODY AND ARMS TO IMPROVE YOUR STRIKE By Vikram Sethi – DGC golf professional

goLf instRUction




Justin Thomas rallied to successfully defend his title on October 23rd at the CIMB Classic at the TCP Golf Course in KL. He started the round 4 shots behind Anirban Lahiri who made a quadruple bogey on the 3rd but made three back to back birdies to finish at -23.

Hideki Matsuyama became the first Asian-born player to win a World Golf Championships event at the 2016 WGC-HSBC Champions at Sheshan International golf course. His total of 23-under 265 gave him a clear seven shot victory.

Justin Thomas claimed his second victory of the season as he came through

with big shots when he needed them to win the first PGA event in 2017, the SBS Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, Hawaii on January 9th. Late in the round saw some drama as a 5-shot lead dwindled to 1, but the 23-year old made a strong birdie-birdie finished to win with a score of 22-under par.

The 23-year old Justin Thomas continued his winning ways by winning the 2017 Sony Open at Honolulu, Hawaii on January 16th. He set a new 72-hole aggregate scoring record with a total of 27-under par 253, passing Tommy Armour III”s 2003 mark at the Texas Open. Justin won with a clear 7-stroke lead.

The week started with hype and anticipation for Tiger Woods’ return to the PGA Tour, after having been deprived of him for 522 days; the excitement of seeing him make his comeback was huge, but he missed cut at Torrey’s South Course which he’s dominated and won eight times, as did his playing partners World No 1 Justin DayandReigningPlayeroftheYearJustinDay. The Farmers Insurance Open was won in a dramatic fashion by 22-year old Spanish star Jon Rahm who made his second eagle of the day on the last hole giving him a 65 and a clear 3-shot lead. He is the player to watch out for!

Japanese golfing sensation Hideki Matsuyama won his fourth PGA Tour win, ranking the most among Japanese born players when he outlasted Webb Simpson in a 4-hole playoff on February 5th at the 2017 Waste Management Phoenix Open. Hideki continues to push his way up the list into the elite players category with his back to back win of this tournament at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.

One of the most exciting events, the AT &T Pebble Beach Pro-Am pairs top professionals with Hollywood celebrities, renowned musicians and captains of industry. Jordan Spieth who was on

fire all week finished at 19-under par to record his first win of the season. This win made Spetih the only player to capture five PGA Tour titles before the age of 24.

Rickie Fowler tasted his first victory in 12 months at the Honda Classic at PGA National, Florida on February 26th. It wasn’t vintage-type golf from Rickie but good enough to give the Tour another big name winner to start 2017. Despite coming into the last round with a 4-shot lead, it became a day of saves and scrambles for the pro.

The hosttest players in the world - Hideki Matsuyama and Justin Thomas who already have 3 wins each this season.

Overnight leader by 7 strokes Hideki Matsuyama fought off a charging Henrik

Stenson to win Tiger Woods’ 18th Hero World Challenge in December by 2 strokes.

goLf instRUction acRoss the gLoBe




There are few sports as steeped in tradition as golf. Its laws date back to 1744, and although the game has evolved its rules remain notoriously difficult to navigate.

For years the governing bodies have been attempting to take steps with regard to the rules to make the game quicker, easier to comprehend and to eliminate the chances of being penalized unnecessarily. The bigger goal being to grow the game by making it more popular , accessible and fun.

Even experienced professionals sometimes have a tough time fathoming the rules. It become intimidating for golfers if the rules are beyond comprehension. It is said that the Rules and Decisions of golf have been written similar to the way books on law are written!

Therefore, the R&A and USGA formed ajoint committee to relook at the Rules of Golf. After much deliberation spanning over five years, in what is the most significant modernization in generations, the USGA and R&A unveiled on 1st March, 30 proposedchanges designed to make more consistent, fair and straightforward rules that are easier to understand and apply, and make the game quicker to play.

The changes cover a wide range of issues – from grounding a club in a hazard or bunker , to putting with the flagstick in , to repairing damage on greens including spike marks. Even the style in which the rule book is written is being revised to make it easier to understand for all types of golfers with emphasis on a lot of explanations via illustrations and diagrams instead of just heavy text.

The governing bodies usually revise the rules every four years, but this new edition will be implemented a year earlier, on Jan. 1, 2019.

Determining whether a player caused his ball to move had been a hot topic before last year’s U.S. Open, but the issue received even more scrutiny when the USGA ruled that Dustin Johnson was “more likely than not,” or 51 percent certain, to have caused his ball to move slightly on Oakmont’s super-fast greens. The ensuing chaos (and one-shot penalty after the round) didn’t affect the outcome, but afterward players and fans blasted the USGA for issuing what was perceived as an unfair ruling. Now, under proposed Rule 9.2, there is a new standard: A player will be penalized only when it is known, or virtually certain (at least 95 percent), that he caused the ball to move, which should eliminate many of the questionable calls. Once cleared, a player will be allowed to replace the ball on its estimated original spot.

One of the most radical proposals is that a player will be allowed to ground his club everywhere except a bunker. By allowing a player to touch the ground with his club and move loose impediments in the penalty area, Proposed Rule 17 would eliminate the unintentional infraction that could be detected only after television replay, such as when Carl Pettersson, standing in a lateral water hazard, brushed a leaf with his backswing at the 2012 PGA Championship. The next rulebook will feature the term “penalty area,” not “hazard.”

The rule change that could most significantly affect week-to-week competition is that players now will be allowed to repair any damage on the greens, including spike marks. Previously, players were allowed to fix only ball marks in their lines. In 2013, European Tour player Simon Dyson was embroiled in a cheating scandal after he tapped down a spike mark during an event. He claimed that he wasn’t trying to gain a competitive advantage, but he still was placed on probation. Now, under Rule 13.1b(1), players could try to create as smooth a surface as possible to roll their putts.

There will also be a new reasonable judgment standard, Rule 1.3a(2), in regard to estimating a line, drop or distance. With the new rule, a player would need only to do “all that could reasonably be expected under the circumstances” to accurately measure the spot. A recent example: Tiger Woods’ controversial drop en route to a victory at the 2013 Players Championship. After finding the water off the 14th tee, Woods discussed where his ball crossed the hazard with his fellow playing competitor, Casey Wittenberg, and his caddie. The group agreed that the ball hooked into the water farther down the fairway, even though video replays suggested it was closer to the tee box. Woods was not penalized, but the PGA Tour felt compelled to issue a statement about the incident. Under the new rule, which relies on the integrity of the player, Woods would still be absolved.

moDeRnising the RULes of goLf

Neha Majithia (M-317) R&AReferee




moDeRnising the RULes of goLf

Some of the other proposed changes:

• Instead of dropping a ball at shoulder height, players can release the ball at any height above one inch. The area in which players are allowed relief is also expanded; rather than one or two club-lengths, there is now a defined relief area of 20 inches (cart paths, ground under repair, etc.) to 80 inches (unplayable lie, penalty area drops).

• Caddies cannot stand behind a player and help with alignment while the player takes a stance – a move that is most common in the LPGA, including with world No. 1 Lydia Ko.

• A player won’t be penalized if his ball accidently deflects off the player, caddy or equipment.

• The search time for lost balls is three minutes, not five.

• Players can move loose impediments in a bunker.

• Damaged clubs can be used in competition, even if the equipment was damaged in a fit of rage. Previously, only those clubs that were damaged in the “normal course of play” could still be used.

• Players are entitled to free relief from an embedded lie anywhere ( except for the bunker),unless limited to the fairway by a local rule.

• Rangefinders can be used to measure distances, except when prohibited by a local rule.

• Committees are encouraged to mark more hazards with red stakes, not yellow, to allow lateral relief.

• In an attempt to improve pace of play at the recreational level, the governing bodies are encouraging ready golf; allowing putts to be holed with the flagstick in; and

Inarare,butnotunprecedentedmove,theUSGAandR&Aannouncedtheaddition of a local rule to the 2016-2019 edition of the Rules of Golf. The local rule, effective January 1st, 2017, gives courses, golf organizations, and rules committees the option to remove the penalty for a player accidentally moving his ball or marker on the putting green. However, the movement of the ball MUST be on the putting green and accidental.

Normally, a player would face a one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2 or Rule 20-1. Now, a player may replace his/her mark or ball to its original position without penalty. This local rule also includes provisions for replacing the ball without penalty if the player’s caddie, equipment, or opponent accidentally moves the ball.

“Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows:

When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment.

The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1.

This Local Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental.

Note: If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced.”

This local rule was the result of the USGA’s policy of reviewing and simplifying the Rules of Golf while also treating the putting green differently from different parts of the course. The USGA added this local rule to address a number of incidents where players were penalized for their ball moving on the green, most notably Dustin Johnson at the 2016 U.S. Open.

Mike Davis said that the USGA will adopt this rule at all of its tournaments starting January 1st, 2017, and that the rule will most likely be implemented in most major golf tournaments including PGA Tour and LPGA Tour events.

As always, there are a few caveats to this rule. Firstly, the ball must be moved accidentally and must not be moved via any intentional action on behalf of the player, the player’s caddie, or the player’s opponent. Also, players may face a two-stroke penalty for playing from the wrong place if they forget to replace their ball. Furthermore, if the ball moves because of natural causes, such as wind or water, the player must play the ball from its new position, but still without penalty.

Additionally, this local rule is just that, a local rule, meaning that it must be adopted by the rules committee or organization conducting the tournament that you’re playing in.

CHANGE IN RULES

recommending an alternative form of stroke play with a double-par maximum score following which you pick up the ball.

If all of the proposals are approved, the total number of rules would be reduced from 34 to 24.

The R&A and USGA have a lot ofmaterialavailable on their websites explaining the modernisation of the rules including a survey to collect feedback from Golfers around the world. Feedback will be accepted for the next six months following which the new Rule book with the changes will be printed.

So go ahead and give your feedback and comment on how you feel about the changes. Are you on the side that is excited and looking forward to adapting these new modern and practical changes ? Or are you saddened that an era of golf as we know it, with its wonderful peculiarities and curious traditions is fading away?

RoLeX & RULes



We are grieved to record the sad demise of the following members: The Club extends its heartfelt condolences to their families.

Mr Bharat Mahey (M-205)

Dr T.B. Singh (S-355)

Mr S.P. Sethi (S-063)

Mrs K. Tayal (T-034)

Mrs Harbans Kaur (WS-062)

Mr H.B. Singh (S-410)

Mrs Saroj Kapur (WS-197)

Mr Vinod Chopra (C-160)

Mr. Amarjit Singh (A-035)

Mr. D.N. Sawhney (SD-472)

Mrs Shalini Pahwa (SD-105)

Mrs Priya Singh (WS-189)

Mr S V S Juneja (J118)

Lt. Gen. Amarjit Singh (S-766)

Mrs Shama Gurbachan Singh (WS-087)

Lt Gen. V.N. Kapur (K-469)

Mr Jayant Sahni (S-672)

What delightful guests are they Life and Love!

Lingering I turn away, This late hour, yet glad enough They have not witheld from me

Their high hospitality.

Mr Karan Inder Nand Khanna (K-220)

Mr Vijay Kumar GalhotraG-084

Mr Chaman Lal Sawhney (S-060)

Mr Raghunandan Lal Gupta (G-220)

Mr V.N. Sehgal(S-218)

Mr V.P. Soni(S-377)

So with face lit with delight And all gratitude, I stay

Yettopresstheirhandsandsay, “Thanks. So fine a time! Goodnight.

“James Whitcomb Riley, American poet (1849 – 1916)

A PARTING GUEST

oBitUaRY


For private circulation only We acknowledge with gratitude the world wide web.

The Green Scene can be accessed on the Club website http://www.delhigolfclub.org.

Members are welcome to write to the Secretary.

Editor: Soni Manjit SinghEditorial Team: Gaby Juneja and Anita Vasudeva

Photos: Gaby Juneja, IGUOfficeBackup:ClubSecretariat&Administration

Design&PrintProduction:BenchmarkGraphicPvtLtd

oBitUaRY

march 2017 - delhi golf club

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