Been there, done that

Shailendra Singh has played golf at some of the world’s best courses. Aabhas Sharma finds out more

Shailendra Singh is in a business where he can’t avoid golf. As the CEO and managing director of Percept India where he works with over 600 brands and 400 CEOs, he had no other option but to take up the sport, initially for networking. Over the years, however, he has developed a real passion for it. “Golf for me is quite therapeutic,” says Singh. After spending most of his time in the car, office, or on long-haul flights, golf gives him an opportunity not just to ‘win friends and influence people’, but also to unwind, relax and spend time in a different setting, outdoors.

Singh has played golf in a lot of countries and on a lot of courses. But the mecca of golf — St. Andrews in Scotland — is his favourite. He took part in a Dunhill invitational tournament there where he played with the likes of Michael Douglas, Sir Ian Botham, and Boris Becker. The history of the legendary course, the staff and the picturesque setting, all make it special, says Singh. The one thing he remembers most about St.

Andrews is that near hole number nine, he actually saw penguins hopping around. “Where else can you experience such things but on a golf course,” he exclaims, recalling the experience.

St. Andrews might be his favourite golf course but it isn’t the one that has left him with the most memorable experience. That came at the Legends Golf and Safari Resort in South Africa. It’s the only golf course in the world that has a 19th hole. But that’s not it, explains Singh. “The 19th hole’s tee-off point is atop a cliff on Hanglip Mountain, more than 1,400 feet above ground level. I was playing at the course with Pawan Munjal, CEO of Hero Honda and wondered how we could possible tee off from there. We were taken in a chopper to get to the tee-off point, and from there it’s more than 630 yards to the pin,” he says.

Back home in India, it’s the Aamby Valley golf course which is his favourite. He says that thanks to the ‘generous’ hospitality of the Sahara Group one can have a personal butler accompanying the golfing cart. Wine, champagne, food — it’s all there to augment the experience. “It is like an 18-hole golf course party and a unique experience,” says Singh. Having played at St.

Andrews, there are not many courses on his ‘must-experience’ list. What started off as a networking tool has developed into an activity which Singh follows with passion.