4th June 2015 was a ‘super day’ for us – recreational golfers, Brijesh Patel & Siddharth Naik of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Having got our names etched in the Limca book of Records in June 2014 for playing the most number of holes in a day, we became the highly motivated duo to set out to design our next golfing record involving all the golf courses in Ahmedabad. After some deliberations, we zeroed in on attempting to play in the most number of golf courses within 12 hours.
During our survey we discovered that the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar region alone had ten functional golf courses! No wonder Gujarat is foreseen to be the ultimate Golf destination of India. Out of the ten, four belong to the Army, Air Force and the BSF. So obtaining permission for the whole team of civilians to enter those premises for practice rounds and final event became our first unique challenge. True to the saying, “Where there is a will, there is a way”, our enthusiastic golf buddy group Captain Hyder Ali & Brigadier Inderjeet Singh along with Sudershan Singh came forward to help us obtain the necessary permissions.
Next, a suitable day had to be chosen for this ambitious project. We began with looking at 21st June, the longest day of the year and after knocking out all the weekly holidays in the different courses, we hit upon Wednesday, the 24th of June 2015.
Ten days prior to the d-day, practice rounds in various courses began in right earnest. This time, it was not only about playing. We had to also keep tabs on the time taken to drive from one course to another and chalk out the best route. All preparations done, we excitedly waited for the dawn of 24th June. Our accompanying team consisted of two caddies( Rohit & Ghanshyam ) , scorer& marker Sudershan Singh and Sid Laheri, who doubled as two witnesses and with two more witnesses plus photographer Jaydeep Jadeja & two fore caddies.
Using the alternate shot foursomes format, the two of us began our record breaking golf journey at 5.47 am in the Army Golf course. Undeterred by the sweltering heat, the strong winds, and even the showers of blessings from the Rain Gods we moved from course to course, playing a round of nine holes in each course namely . Finally amidst loud cheers from fellow golfers, family and friends we finished at Kensville Golf & Country Club at 17.15 pm. Our attempt totalled to 11.28 hrs of record play time!
Here are the names of all the ten golf courses
1. Army AEPTA Golden Katar – Shahibaug, Ahmedabad.
2. MSC South Western Air Command – Chiloda, Gandhinagar
3. BSF Lions Golf Course – Chiloda, Gandhinagar
4. Parbat Ali BDE – Chiloda, Gandhinagar
5. Alloa Hills Resort Golf Course – Mahudi Rd. Gandhinagar
6. Cambay Golf & Spa Resort – Gandhinagar
7. The Belvedere Golf & Country Club – Vaishnodevi Circle, Ahmedabad.
8. Kalhaar Blues & Greens – Bopal~Sanand bypass rd., Ahmedabad.
9. Gulmohar Greens Golf & Country Club – Telav, Ahmedabad.
10 Kensville Golf & Country Club – Baldana, Ahmedabad.
Fulfilled and happy with our successful attempt, we expect to become holders of even more records, possibly even the Guinness Book of Records. Now having successfully completed this record attempt, we will be sending all the documents of evidence as per the guidelines of the record companies. Such recognition, appreciation, awards and certificates are a huge motivation for us as sportsmen. They keep our interest and persistence alive. In lighter vein, golfer Pete Dye once said, “The ardent golfer would play Mount Everest if somebody put a flagstick on top.” But for ardent golf lovers like us, that is not a passing statement. In the words of Arnold Palmer, “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening – and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented.”
Driven by our passionate love for the game and our cherished dreams of being among the best in the country, we seek to continue to inspire the next generation of Golfing Indians!
