Golf Course bears the brunt of weekend picnickers’ onslaught

SHILLONG: The once pristine Shillong Golf Course is being ripped off its old-time glory thanks to the onslaught of weekend picnickers and others who litter the area unabated.
The Shillong Golf Course, also known as the ‘Gleneagles of the East’, is one of the largest golf courses in Asia. A visit to the area reveals the sorry state of affairs at the picturesque golf course which is littered with plastic packets, bottles, leftover food, cigarette butts, beer cans and even liquor.
Then there are the “footballers and bicycle riders” who further spoil the turf of the golf course which turns into a public park on weekends.
Though the Shillong Golf Course is a private property, many feel that it is high time for the State Government and the management to intervene and save the golf course before it reaches a state of no return.
Speaking on the matter, Pynthorumkhrah MLA, AL Hek, who is also the president of Shillong Golfers Association, said that he has stopped playing golf since last one and a half year due to pathetic condition of the golf course.
Slamming the management of the Shillong Golf Course, he said that if the condition remains the same, the course will cease to be playable in few years time.
“The management has to wake up if the Golf Course is to be saved,” he said, adding that the Board of Directors do not understand the nitty-gritty of the situation and needs of the Shillong Golf Course.
“If we don’t take the cooperation of nearby localities, we cannot stop anything and the course will continue to suffer,” he said.
Few years back, the BSF had taken the step of cleaning the Shillong Golf Course and the exercise continued for few months but the situation is back to square one now.