 The
originator of golf at Ootacamund was Colonel Ross Thompson, R.E.
who brought it in 1889,from banglore, when he had been transfered
as Executive Engineer, Nilgiri district. He beagn with a few holes,
partly in the ground of the A.B.C., and partly on the adjecent
land belonging to the Hobart Park. These pioneer link were used
principally by ladies but owing to one cause and another they
did not find much favour. In consequence of this, Colonel Ross
Thompson, brigadier - general Van Straubenzee,and Colonel Straker
R.A., selected, some time in febraury of the following years,
a site near the municipal rubbish depot and the road out to the
Governor's Shola, on which links consisting of eighteen holes
were laid out. the starting point of the course was on the slope
above the turn on the road the lake, to the west of Woodstock.
Golf Ground & Shooting Spot Ooty |
In march 1891, Colonel Fane Sewell, then honorary Secretary of
the Blue Mountains Tennis and Cricket Club, which was the result
of the amalgamation of the revived the playing of golf on the
Hobart Park, by obtaining the permission of the municipal council,
as the custodian of the ground, oto form on it a course of nine
holes. In his application he wrote "the royal and ancient
Game of golf is now became a very popular one in which part of
the community is nearly certain towish to participate" These
links I can remember. For a time, these were used frequently by
ladies and a few men, but also very lasting intrest was taken
in them. Those seriously professing golf all went to the links
on the downs, of which restriction has been made on the previous
page, and thet formed a club, which united with the present Gymkhana,
in September 1896. The Municipal corner links as they were usually
called by the polite the impolite had another, and perhaps more
appropriate name for them were used until June 11 1899, when owing
party to the annoyance frequently caused by the evil smells issuing
from the rubbish depot, and partly to a wish to have a better
course.
It was resolved, at the meeting of golfing member of the Gymakhan
club to request the General Committee to permit removal of the
golf ground to another part of the downs. The sanction sought
was accorded, and the existing links, which until recently consisted
of fifteen holes, were then constructed, the old course being
abandoned. They start from the eastern end of the "Cockey's
Course". Which is by no means level ground and are laid over
some rather broken country. They are, I believe, considered by
practiced golfers quite satisfactory. Whether they are or not,
any one restoring to them obtaining plenty of fresh air, and a
lovely view of the Kunda range, with a long sweep of shoals and
rolling downs as a foreground. I can call to mind the outcry against
the new links when they were first started and the abuse showered
on the man a scot who was at the bottom of the move, on the ground
that the course laid out, mainly at his suggestion was exceeding
difficult, and at a terrible distance from ottacamund.
Commencing from 1929, water
was pumped by a hydraulic ram from the stream in the valley
and storage tank and feeder pipes were installed in 1970 from
when the pumping was done electrically and the browns gradually
changed to greens.
From 1906, the amateur golf
champion ship is held annually during the summer season. The
first winner was major quinton and R.B. Carrick has the distinction
of having won it nine time between 1914 and 1929. In recent
years several major tournaments have been organized on the links.
A leading golfer of the country after having won a major tournament
here said that the Ooty golf course was one of the best course
to practice in the country because of its peculiar conditions.
The 18 holes courser is located at a height of about 7,4000
feet, width a par of 70 over 6,207 yard. The scienc beauty and
breathtaking views make the course one of the most sought after
in India. Hundreds of movies in several Indian language have
been shot on these links too.
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