Pioneering golf course development in India

SGDC has been instrumental in constructing international standard golf projects in India. With a vision to provide best-in class golf course developments, Silverglades Golf Development Company (SGDC) has been instrumental in constructing international standard golf projects in India ever since golf was just in its nascent stages of growth. Leading light: A veteran in golf course construction for over 35 years, Col SK Bhattacharya, Director, SGDC, has been pivotal in the development of major golf courses such as the upgradation of the 9 hole golf course to an 18 hole championship golf course at Army Golf Course in Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi; the 27 hole, Jack Nicklaus Design Signature Golf Course called ITC Classic Golf Resort in Gurgaon; the 18 hole, Greg Norman Design Signature Golf Course in Greater Noida and the 9-hole, Graham Cooke Design Golf Course at Tarudhan Valley Golf Resort. Currently, he spearheads the development of a 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Design Championship Golf Course under construction at The Imperial Golf Estate, Ludhiana. Projects showcase: The company's landmark projects include ITC Classic Golf Resort, Gurgaon (JV with ITC); Greg Norman Design Championship Golf Course, Greater Noida (SGDC team seconded to the developer) and Tarudhan Valley Golf Resort, Gurgaon. Similarly, its ongoing projects include Imperial Golf Estate, Ludhiana; GMADA Golf Academy, Mohali (Development by wholly owned subsidiary of SGDC) and Ansal API, Gurgaon. Human resources: The company's vast pool of human resources includes architects, civil engineers (golf course construction), shapers(with shaping dozers), feature foremen(green/tee/bunker specialists), surveyors (handling advanced surveying equipment), irrigation and drainage superintendents, central control irrigation system operators, excavator and box grader operators, tractor cum turf care machinery operators, horticulturists, nursery and grow-in supervisors, electricians, mechanics and artisans and experienced golf course maintenance staff. Machinery and equipment: The company posses a vast fleet of machinery and equipment. These includes shaping dozers-caterpillars (D-4H/D5K); JCBs; excavators (Tata, Hitachi); john deere fine shaping rakes; green mowers (Grow-in); tractors with hydraulic tippers; spriggers, box graders, sod cutters; portable irrigation systems with sprinkler heads; cultivator/disc harrows; concrete mixers; water bowsers; plate compactors, vibrators, welding equipment; and rollers. Golf development services: The company offers a wide array of golf development services including: Pre-construction services: Feasibility study of site and climate analysis, co-ordinating a variety of soil and water tests to determine viability of land for construction. Golf course construction: Earthmoving and rough shaping, installation of irrigation systems, construction of features like greens, fairways, tees, water bodies and other hazards, fine shaping, development of turf nursery, planning, design and execution of cart paths and grow-in activities. Driving range and chip/putt golf facilities construction: Construction of golf driving range and all features and development of practice areas. Landscaping: Development of golf course landscape, drainage and grading systems, waterscape plans, irrigation systems and intricate aeration plans. Maintenance services: Routine maintenance activities on a contractual basis, development of maintenance operating procedure guidelines so as to uphold the highest standards in maintenance practices, preparing periodic budgets for maintenance and training existing and new manpower for carrying out multiple functions. Operational services: Operational management of the golf course and associated facilities on a contractual basis, like conducting golf events, hiring and training manpower to establish the best practices, establishing standard operating procedure guidelines for all staff, developing profit centres to extract maximum returns and facilitate return on investment. Manpower recruitment and training: Training all manpower including golf assistants (caddies) on their functions and formulating structured training programmes. Renovations and re-modeling: Refurbishment and upgradation of golf facilities, new turf establishment for greens, tees and fairways, renovation of permanent structures like clubhouse, maintenance facility and driving range academy. (Communication by the management of the company)