A British golf legacy in Gulmarg

When I visited the Gulmarg Golf Club on my recent visit to the ski destination, I was transported to an era when the British used Gulmarg as a summer retreat and developed it for golfing as well. The quaint Club House has a spacious lobby and its walls are covered with boards listing the names of winners of the various golf tournaments held over the years since 1902 when it was built.

The origin of golf in Gulmarg goes back to the late 19th century when a 6-hole course was made in 1890-91 by Colonel Neville Chamberlain (the greens were then known as browns). In 1901, the Maharaja of Kashmir donated land at Gulmarg for laying out a golf course, which came to be known as the Upper Golf Course. In 1915 a 9-hole course, also known as ‘Rabbits Course’ was also built. The present course has been built where the Upper Course used to be.

Between 1902 and 1947, the Club House was the venue for many glittering club dances, dinners and festivities. The large British contingent (very few Indians were admitted) participated in many Club tournaments, the more eminent ones being the Upper India Golf Championship, Duncan Vase, Nedou’s Cup and the Northern India Amateur Golf Championship.

Unfortunately the original Club House was destroyed in a fire in 1948 and golfing activities suffered a setback until 1953 when the J&K government constructed the present building and enthusiasts welcomed the revival of golf in Gulmarg.