Dibrugarh District & Planters' Club, Dibrugarh, Assam
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The DDPC Golf Course took birth on the land of Bokel Tea Estate along with DDPC (Dibrugarh District Planters' Club) in 1955, when the 1878-born Maden Memorial Gymkhana Club was engulfed by the mighty Brahmaputra. The 9-hole golf course then was 5880 yards in length, rated 67.3 with Par 67. Later in 1998, the 18th Hole was converted to a Par 4 making the Course 5910 in length, 68 Par keeping the rating same at 67.3. The flat course of DDPC, though thought to be a short and simple one by many, tempts golfers for big hits but unfortunately has Out of Bounds in every hole making the big hitter's life measurable!
When I started the game, R. Babyacon, Manager Greenwood used to be the captain of the Course. The Captain had to be present at the course before anyone arrived and it was his responsibility to fix the teams to play. Regular partners were not a very regular sight as senior golfers accompanied junior, teaching them while going for the round.
Shouting in the course (apart from calling a "fore") was regarded as a most shameful act. I had to pay the penalty when I hit the first Birdie in my life in the 7th Hole where "Y E E A H" got uttered uncontrollably loud. I only realized this when I got back to the club after the Round and a senior golfer told me "Some things should not be audible to the entire village."
There used to be a very healthy competition among the Estate Managers in regard to maintenance of the Course, where Bokel always used to be at number 1 and for which they always used to get the opportunity to maintain the Fairway 1 / 10, followed by Thanai, Sessa, Greenwood, Maijan, Dikom, Nudwa, Romai among others.
There were not very many lady golfers in the club as far as I can recollect. Mrs. S. Ponappa was the only lady I remember who used to be very regular and could also be seen in various prize distribution ceremonies in the club, collecting prizes.
Another important event used to be the Annual Meet of the Club where maintenance of the course, breakfast for golfers and arrangents for drinks in the course, etc. used to be taken very seriously- DDPC has to be the 'best'! Golf captain used to literally live in the course for a week (at the least) prior to the event. Pin positioning used to be very secretly done by the captain, who took immense pride in it. "He must have had a fight with his wife last night" was a regular comment for a difficult hole. Captain's Prize golf day was another important event in the club, where the captain never participated and instead he attended individually to almost every golfer. He was always formally dressed in a suit and tie during the prize distribution.
Getting an opportunity to participate in various inter club tournaments used to be a great pride to the golfer, especially Dunlop Cup, where individual letters from the captain used to be delivered to each participant. I still remember the joy and partying of theDDPC golfers after winning the Dunlop Cup in the year 1989.
It is indeed a pleasure to be associated with the great game of Golf at Dibrugarh District Planters Club.
Shouting in the course (apart from calling a "fore") was regarded as a most shameful act. I had to pay the penalty when I hit the first Birdie in my life in the 7th Hole where "Y E E A H" got uttered uncontrollably loud. I only realized this when I got back to the club after the Round and a senior golfer told me "Some things should not be audible to the entire village."
There used to be a very healthy competition among the Estate Managers in regard to maintenance of the Course, where Bokel always used to be at number 1 and for which they always used to get the opportunity to maintain the Fairway 1 / 10, followed by Thanai, Sessa, Greenwood, Maijan, Dikom, Nudwa, Romai among others.
There were not very many lady golfers in the club as far as I can recollect. Mrs. S. Ponappa was the only lady I remember who used to be very regular and could also be seen in various prize distribution ceremonies in the club, collecting prizes.
Another important event used to be the Annual Meet of the Club where maintenance of the course, breakfast for golfers and arrangents for drinks in the course, etc. used to be taken very seriously- DDPC has to be the 'best'! Golf captain used to literally live in the course for a week (at the least) prior to the event. Pin positioning used to be very secretly done by the captain, who took immense pride in it. "He must have had a fight with his wife last night" was a regular comment for a difficult hole. Captain's Prize golf day was another important event in the club, where the captain never participated and instead he attended individually to almost every golfer. He was always formally dressed in a suit and tie during the prize distribution.
Getting an opportunity to participate in various inter club tournaments used to be a great pride to the golfer, especially Dunlop Cup, where individual letters from the captain used to be delivered to each participant. I still remember the joy and partying of theDDPC golfers after winning the Dunlop Cup in the year 1989.
It is indeed a pleasure to be associated with the great game of Golf at Dibrugarh District Planters Club.