Golf course planning operations in India

Golf is a highly addictive game. I can visualize the collective nods from golf enthusiasts and the simultaneous rolling of eyes by golf widows as they vouch for this statement. People have spent years and mega bucks in pursuit of this game. Some love it, some excel at it, some spend their whole life battling the greens but there are very few like Indian born Phil Shaw Dennis who gave up a lucrative career in finance to invest in it. Twenty years into the business, Phil, who came to Australia 35 years ago from Mumbai, shares his success story with Indian Link

Driving on Wellington Road, near Mulgrave, one can easily spot Phil’s labour of love – the Waverley Pitch and Putt course. Nestled amidst 6 acres of lush greens, the par 3 course is popular with locals and school groups. Besides the pitch and putt regulars it also attracts many corporate events, juniors and professionals who want to improve their short game. As one of the pioneers of Irishstyle pitch and putt in Australia, Phil has endured risks, trials and tribulations of a unique venture and yet retained his reputation for successfully managing one of the best and well maintained pitch and putt courses in Australia.

The pitch and putt game was developed mainly in Ireland since the 1940s, but is today a growing sport all over the world. The game is played from raised artificial teeing surfaces using a tee and it has its own handicap system. Players can use two irons and a putter to play. Every hole is par three, which simply means that to play an extremely good game you have to putt the golf ball in the cup in three strokes, hence stroke play, and an end score of 54 strokes (3 x 18). “It’s a game for all ages at all stages and good both for beginners or experienced golfers,” explained Phil. “You can practice the most essential part of golf (the short game) in a short amount of time, without having to walk too far or carrying a full bag of clubs” he said.

Phil’s Waverley Pitch and Putt Course is a hybrid between the convenience of mini golf and the challenge of a regular course. Fitted snugly into a small parcel of property, the course has tees in good shape, wide fairways and greens with subtle breaks. Undulating terrain adds to the challenge making it a popular destination for junior, state and national championships. “My calendar for 2010 is packed with events,” claimed Phil. “Besides sporting events we also organize parties and social events on a regular basis to ensure growth and member retention,” he said. “Today I have built up a customer database in excess of 15,000 customers. Our club membership is strong and growing. Three representatives from this club have represented Australia in the ‘World Pitch & Putt Golf Championships’ in Europe,” he added proudly.

Waverley Pitch and Putt is home of the Victorian Golf Association Junior Golf Championships and it has created a Unique School Sports Curriculum Program that is used regularly by more than 30 schools in and around the municipality. Women’s Golf’ Victoria are also regular users of this facility. “This is a favoured location for corporate golf days/end of year functions. Over the years I have helped organize events for many companies including Commonwealth Bank, ICI Dulux, Hawthorn Football Club, National Australia Bank and Schwartzkoft to name a few,” revealed Phil. Winner of the 2006 Monash World Environment Day Awards, the Waverley Pitch and Putt is gearing itself to extend into an entertainment venue for the whole family.

As a Members’ Representative with the Australian Pitch and Putt Association (APPA), Phil Shaw-Dennis continues to promote the game through ongoing competitions and events. “This is our 20th year and I have many events planned in pursuing the focus in India. I have already put necessary wheels in motion by making a few trips to India and have interested parties discussing progress. I would be providing a complete turnkey consulting project from design, construction and operational systems to developing this business in India....a country that is absolutely ready (economically and financially) for it, ” said Philip, sharing his plans for the future.

Golf snobs may be quick to write off a pitch and putt course as not being the ‘real’ thing, but for 90 year old Ed it is a game that has given him much joy for most of his life. “I come here every morning with my wife, the grounds are beautifully maintained, it is not as expensive as a game on one of the traditional courses around Melbourne, and I can play 18 holes in less than 2 hours. What more can an old man ask for?” he said as he poised his club to score a birdie.

Phil, who is on first name basis with all his clients, claimed there are many regulars like Ed who give him the motivation to continue investing time, effort and money into this course.” When I gave up my cushy job in the finance industry to do this people discouraged me; but I was passionate about the game and astute with my risk analysis, and after the initial five years of ups and downs and hard work, I have never looked back. Many golf tragics live with the romantic notion of owning their own golf course. My only advice to them is, go for it. It may not always be a smooth drive but give it your best shot and success will swing your way eventually,” he concluded.