Patna Golf Club to tee off centenary bash tomorrow

Drawn from armed forces to politics and judiciary, veteran golfers are gathering at the historic greens here as part of the four-day centenary celebration of the Patna Golf Club which kicks off tomorrow.
Beginning its journey in 1916 as South Bihar Gymkhana Club, the 18-hole course currently spread over sprawling 165 acres, along with the centuries-old Gandhi Maidan, serves as one of the main lungs of the city that is rapidly urbanising.
"We are marking the centenary from March 17-20 with celebrations and tournaments for both professionals and amateurs across four categories. Veteran golfers who once played at Patna Golf Club and avid players from various fields are converging for the celebrations," a senior PGC official told PTI.

Former Vice Chief of Amy Staff Lt Gen (retd) S K Sinha, former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Ghulam Nabi Azad, all avid golfers, are expected at the opening of the function tomorrow, said the official, who is part of the centenary celebrations organising team.
Justice Aftab Alam and other judges from Supreme Court who served at the Patna High Court are also coming to relive their memories of the lush greens, he said.
Incidentally, Patna High Court also came up in February 1916 and several judges of it since beginning have been associated with the Patna Golf Club.

Located on the equally famous Bailey Road, the club is an extension of the massive Raj Bhawan campus on the western and southern sides. The club was used by government and army officials of the Raj and had facilities for both golf and polo.

After the Second World War, the British lost interest in maintaining the club's ground and polo's popularity had diminished. In 1950s, the club was rechristened as Patna Golf Club, according to the club.
"We are also bringing out a coffee table book to commemorate the centenary which will include old pictures and memoirs of veteran golfers and personalities who are or have been associated with the club," the official said.

Lt Gen (retd) Sinha, now over 90 years old, said he has fond memories of the club and the pretty sight the place used to present to passers-by in early days when there was no boundary wall on the Bailey Road side.
"My age doesn't permit me to play anymore but I am going to attend the function. The place is very close to my heart as I grew up in the city living very close to the club. My father was a national polo player and so I used to go with him there and see him play. He occasionally played golf too," Gen Sinha told PTI.

"It had its highs and also successfully surmounted moments of crises and I wish the club all the success," he said.