Gary Player Design selected for renovation of Delhi GC’s Lodhi course

Gary Player Design selected for renovation of Delhi GC’s Lodhi course
Richard Humphreys
By Richard Humphreys

Gary Player Design (GPD) has been appointed for a renovation project that will include the redesign all green complexes on the Lodhi course at Delhi Golf Club in New Delhi, India.

The course is known for its setting among dense trees and ancient tombs in the centre of New Delhi. It was first laid out in the late 1920s, in time for the city becoming the capital of India, and was redesigned by Peter Thomson in 1977, who at the same time laid out the club’s nine-hole Peacock course.

“The existing course is an old iconic layout in the heart of New Delhi which has great history,” said Jeff Lawrence, vice president and senior designer of Gary Player Design. “It is a parkland style golf course with minimal topography but does have dense vegetation that borders every hole. The course is in good shape, but it does have room for substantial improvement.”

Lawrence explained that greens on the course, which has hosted the European Tour’s Indian Open and the Asian Tour’s Panasonic Open, are past their lifecycle, so the project will see all 18, plus two practice greens, redesigned. “We intend to maintain the same overall historic character, but implement meaningful design enhancements to improve strategy, maintainability and visual aesthetics,” he said.

The Player firm has experience in the country, having designed DLF Golf and Country Club, current host of both the women’s and men’s Indian Opens, co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours.

“The opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting improvement to Delhi Golf Club that will serve the wide variety of their members is our primary goal,” said Lawrence. “This is an exciting project to be involved with because of its deep history and the club’s willingness to implement exciting design features within this iconic setting.

“The club intends to keep the course open for play during the renovation project. This project will be a logistical challenge as well as a scheduling challenge, but the in-depth planning process and overall commitment of Delhi Golf Club will allow the team to execute the work to the highest standards and within an aggressive time frame.”

Lawrence said MiniVerde will be used on the greens and Ultradwarf bermudagrass elsewhere. An updated bunker liner is likely to be installed to help support sustainability, while drainage and an updated irrigation system is to be added.

“We are honoured and excited to have been selected to provide our design services to this iconic and historic golf course,” said Marc Player, CEO of Black Knight International. “Construction should begin in mid-March with completion and reopening by October.”

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