By Abhishek Roy, IANS
New Delhi : The Lodhi Course of the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) has been reduced by a par to par-71 for the inaugural $2.5 million EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters starting here Wednesday.
The 14th hole, which was par-5, has been reduced to par-4 and will surely challenge the golfers.
“Statistically there have been lot of birdies at the 14th hole. It was an easy par-5 hole and now to make it tough we have made it par-4. It will be a challenge for the golfers to get in four shots,” Ranji Chaudhri, DGC captain, told IANS Tuesday.
Asked whether this was the first time the par of the course has been reduced, Chaudhri said: “I don’t know whether the par was ever reduced in the history of the DGC. But I am sure that this is the first time the par has been reduced to 71 in the last 10 years.”
Chaudhri also added that three tees, 3rd, 7th and 10th, have been pushed back and in the process 126 yards have been to the course.
“The length of the course was 6,888 yards but after pushing back the three tees we have added 126 yards, now the total length of the course is 7,014 yards. We have also added five bunkers, one each in the first, eighth and 18th and two on the sixth hole. These are well contoured and deep bunkers,” said the DGC captain.
There were 65 bunkers earlier.
Chaudhri also said that the organisers have ensured that the greens are firm. “The test of a good green is that it should be firm and not hard and must reward a well struck ball by holding well,” he said.
He also added that holding the Indian Masters during this time of the year was a challenge for the course management of DGC because the grass was dormant and not growing.
“This dormancy only breaks when the minimum temperature inches upwards to 15 degrees. But currently the temperatures over the last fortnight have been hovering around 2-7 degrees, which is extremely adverse for any golf course.
“But we had taken all the precautions over the last three months. We have gone for intense maintenance with lots of fertilisers to ensure that the course stays green despite the adverse weather conditions,” said Chaudhri.
According to the captain, knowledge of the course will help home golfers like Jyoti Randhawa and Shiv Kapur but adaptability will be the key to success at the DGC.
“Golfers like Shiv and Jyoti, who grew up playing at this course will obviously have an edge but the key to success will be adaptability. That is the reason why other top golfers like Ernie Els and Lee Westwood will also have a good chance.
“In the course golfers can’t go for powerful drives to cover 350 yards, because it may end up in the bushes adjacent to the fairway. That will be a major challenge for the golfers. The idea is to go for less powerful drives and stay on the fairway.”
The Indian Masters is sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India.