Golf, golfers and tourism

Golf, golfers and tourism are synonymous to each other and as important for tourism in Kashmir as in other global tourist destinations. The only good work done for the promotion of tourism in Kashmir by Abdullahs’ and Muftis’ during their reigns of power was the development of golf courses and their upgradation. Unfortunately an unwanted decision to throw open the Kashmir golf course to general public at a nominal rate of Rs 100/- a month would by all standards of understandabilities reduce this golf course of historical importance just to an amusement park where people would come more for entertaining themselves for lunch and tea with their families and less for playing golf. Kashmir golf course is not merely a golf playing field but a well known heritage spot. Knowing that when thrown open to general public the Kashmir Golf Course situated almost in the city centre area would be over crowded and resultantly more traffic jams due to presence of very limited parking spaces in this area would make traffic regulation more difficult and intensify noise and air pollution in the city. Interestingly the government talks about discrimination with Jammu region in distribution of finances and public facilities but why the government commanded and controlled by Governor Satya Pal Malik did not bother to throw open Sidhra Golf Course to general public in Jammu also for the entertainment of underprivileged children.
If government would have been sincere in promotion of golf in Kashmir then it would have taken the decision to seek the services of famed Kashmir golfers for training the school children in phases and groups the way they are trained in other sporting activities. Question can be asked that if the department of youth services and sports hires coaches of international repute for training youth in other games like football, volleyball, cricket etc etc why it is not hiring the specialized golfers for training the youth to help them compete in golfing at higher levels. In fact golf was not introduced in Kashmir for the purposes of entertainment but for the promotion of tourism as international golfers were tending to come to Kashmir to play golf keeping in view the scenic beauty of the golf courses in Kashmir and the attractive weather conditions in valley. Opening Kashmir Golf Course to general public at a nominal feee of Rs 100/- a month would certainly enthuse people and attract huge crowds but government can’t stop the vandalisation of this golf course by the huge crowds in the end. For promoting golf the motive should be to train youth the way they are trained in other sporting activities but not to change golf course into amusement parks . Hope better sense revails upon the helmsmen and a better policy for promotion of golf is devised and implemented in Jammu & Kashmir state.