17-07-2020

Srinagar Diary 2014

Here are some interesting snippets from the PGTI Kashmir Masters 2014 held at the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar.

The 5th hole, an artist’s delight

The Royal Springs Golf Course at Srinagar is in many ways a microcosm of the Kashmir valley. The Zabarwan Hills forming the backdrop, the proximity to the Dal Lake, the changes in elevation and the flora and fauna, make Royal Springs truly representative of the region. The highlight of the course however, is the fifth hole, the signature hole. The tee of the downhill par-3, the highest point on the course, offers a panoramic view of the Dal Lake and a part of Srinagar city. The spot is an artist’s delight. The view is so captivating that it is said golfers need to be careful to not lose concentration.   

A fruit-full week

One of the attractions of playing at the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar is the abundance of fruit trees on the course. The venue offers a wide variety of fruits to the golfer as there are plenty of apples, peaches, plums, pears, mulberries and cherries hanging from the trees which are ready to eat. The professionals at the PGTI Kashmir Masters didn’t really need to carry anything to eat during their rounds. All they needed to do was, take a couple of steps off the fairway and pluck the fruit of their choice for that rejuvenating experience. It was indeed a fruit-full week for the pros.

School children cheer on the professionals

Local school children from Srinagar turned out in big numbers to cheer the professionals on the final day of the PGTI Kashmir Masters. The presence of the school children helped raise the energy levels on the course as the excited young boys and girls walked the course and applauded the efforts of the players. At the end of the tournament, the kids queued up for a photograph with the champion Chikkarangappa and sought autographs from him and other golfers. The winner Chikka said, “It was great to see so many kids on the course. I was about their age when I was first attracted to golf. Hopefully, the kids’ visit to the golf course encourages them to take up the sport. Who knows then, we might see some of these young kids emerge as champions in the coming years.”