Gulmarg also has one of the world’s highest green golf courses, as well as a clubhouse, which is a historical building in its own right. For the would-be golfer, there are golf sets on hire, pros to instruct one in the game, and temporary memberships. Naturally, these facilities are available to players as well, except that serious golfers usually carry their sets along.
J & K govt to upgrade golf courses
Jammu | November 22, 2005 2:42:57 AM IST
In an initiative to promote tourism in the state, Jammu and Kashmir government will constitute a high level committee to oversee the overall management and maintenance of the existing golf courses and laying of the new courses in the state.
This was decided at a high level meeting held here today under the chairmanship of the Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig.
Headed by Mr Baig, the committee will have principal secretary and director general of Tourism department, besides chief executive officer of an econimic reconstruction agency and some experts in the field as its members.
The meeting decided that a world class expert, preferably from the University of Georgia or Massachusetts in United States, would be engaged for the long term maintenance of the turf and the selection of suitable grass at the Royal Springs Golf Course.
Tourism department officials informed the meeting that they are working on the development of new golf courses at Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Jammu, while steps were being taken to improve the existing golf course at Gulmarg.
For the development of pahalgam golf course spread over 1,100 kanals of land, Rs 4.50 cr were sanctioned and a consultant has also been engaged. A team of experts from the Asian Development Bank (adb) had recentlty visited Sonamarg, evincing keen interest in the development of tourism infrastructure at the world famous ski resort.
The meeting also decided to introduce turf maintenance and management courses at selected polytechnics or in the University on the pattern of similar courses being run by some American universities.