Official apathy leaves Gulmarg Golf Course in shambles

Srinagar, Nov 15: The much-hyped Gulmarg Golf Course in north Kashmir's Baramulla district is in shambles due to official apathy as it has been ignored for the last five years.

Established in 1911, the 18-hole Gulmarg Golf Course is considered one of the largest golf courses in Kashmir.

The Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA), which is responsible for its maintenance has not issued any tenders over the last few years which has left the gold course on crutches.

An official of the GDA, who is privy to the developments, said that the golf course lost its sheen in 2019 and is struggling for its revival.

“Since the COVID pandemic, this golf course remained without control and regular maintenance was not done too. It is regulated by the GDA but for the last few years no irrigation and grass cutting was done on the golf course,” the official said.

He said that after remaining without control with no watch and ward and attention from the concerned authorities, the golf course almost “vanished”.

“In 2023, the engineering wing of the GDA was merged with the R&B Department and some maintenance of the golf course was done, which, however, is not up to the mark,” the official said.

He said that in 2021 and 2022, the GDA carried out some maintenance work on the golf course wherein of the 18 holes, only 10 were maintained.

“The left out eight holes need government attention. The golf course is not being properly maintained,” the official said.

He said the golf course has lost its sheen at a time when the government is promoting tourism at this destination.

“No doubt the tourists arrive here throughout the year but this golf course is out of sight of everyone,” the official said.

The 18-hole golf course features the country’s longest hole (the 8th, a 610-yard par 5).

At 7505 yards (6863 metres), the Gulmarg Golf Course is the longest in India.

Meanwhile, the official said that no tenders were issued for its maintenance during the previous years and this year the tendering process was delayed due to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) which was imposed in Kashmir in view of the parliament and assembly polls.

“The maintenance of the golf course is done through a proper system. Once the snow melts, the maintenance and the necessary repairs of the golf course should get started but that never happens,” he said.

The official said that the GDA does not have any operators, labourers, and other staff to cater to the golf course and the entire staff is hired through a third-party system on a contract basis.

“The tender is issued for different components including irrigation, hiring of operators and experts on a contract basis by outsource mechanism. Around 25 labourers are also hired on a contract basis. However, when the tenders are not issued, the hiring of operators and labourers is halted due to which the golf course does not witness any maintenance,” the official said.

He said that the spray of chemical fertilisers, sand and surface dressing should be done almost twice a year.

“But this golf course did not see any such attention being paid to,” the official said.

Recently, a local golf tournament was organised at Gulmarg Golf Course in which various golfers participated.

“There is a difference in it. The tournament was organised for local golfers who played with several concessions considering the condition of the golf course. It was not of that national or international level," the official told Greater Kashmir.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah said the recent golf tournament in the Golf Course Gulmarg was his effort to remind the people that this course exists here.

“It is a heritage golf course and the third oldest in India. It has been completely damaged and was made a grazing field for cattle,” MLA Gulmarg said.

He said there has been no championship at this Golf Course since 2014.

“Had it been maintained the international golfers would cherish playing here. But we will revive it in a year as per the international standards,” MLA Gulmarg said.