AS.   My family’s occupation is farming. I come from a humble background. In 2007, I started my career as a landscaping supervisor. In 2011, I got the opportunity to work at the Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Club where I was introduced to Golf. I learnt how to maintain and run a Golf Course with the use of fertilizers and chemicals. After hard work and gaining enough knowledge, I chose to become a Golf Course Superintendent as a profession.

AS.  I got training in my first golf course like Machine (turf care equipment) Operations, uses and maintenance, Irrigation Operations & water management, turf maintenance practice with turf management, chemical and fertilizer application as per requirement and manpower management on ground and continued training myself daily with my experience.

AS.   I completed my graduation in 2005 from C.C.S. University. I did a workshop with Dr Micah Woods and I have attended The Indian Golf Expo along with many other seminars in the field of Golf related to Turf  Maintenance, Turf Care Machinery & Equipment.

AS.   The position of a Golf Course Superintendent has a lot of challenges. The most difficult challenge being management of budget and manpower. Another obstacle is satisfying the regular Golfer and maintaining the course and keeping it in pristine condition throughout the year regardless of the extreme climate or the amount of play.

AS.  To keep myself updated with technology and advancement in the field of Course Maintenance, I will attend various seminars and expos which happen throughout India.

AS.  I keep interacting with Golfers regularly on course and take their feedback about the Golf Course Maintenance. We have developed a system in which the tee markers are changed/replaced on a daily basis and the pin positions are changed 3 times a week. This practice has worked well with Golfers as it keeps the pin positions a mystery.

AS.   Every Golf Course has its own unique flora and fauna, which is maintained and also has the protected area. Definitely it reduces the environmental pollution, increases biodiversity, protects water resources, protects top soil from erosion and increases the landscaping values.

AS.  Our course currently runs on ground water. At times, we use treated water for landscaping from the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) situated in our premises. We have planned to increase the size of the STP in the future.

AS.   Satisfaction of Golfers and aesthetically maintained course is the real reward of our profession.

AS.   Yes definitely. As whatever hard work we do, it is rewarded.

AS.  Maintenance Cost is a major concern for all Golf Courses, we should work and try to reduce the same always without compromising the aesthetical look of the Golf Course and its playability.