It started with a dream. A family. A patch of land. And an obsession with a game.
A quarter century of passion, perseverance, and golf.
Today, 25 years on, that dream spans 18 holes and 82 acres. It has claimed its rightful place as one of the most picturesque golf clubs in India, living forever in the hearts of golfers across the nation.
The story of Chikmagalur Golf Club (CGC) is an extraordinary tale of vision, dedication, and the transformative power of ambition. It truly began with the Aralaguppe family.
As children in the early 1970s, A.B. Sudarshan and his brother A.B. Ravishankar spent part of their childhood staying with their uncle on Crescent Road in Bangalore, neighbouring Bangalore Golf Club. Their first introduction to the sport was entirely serendipitous.
However, traveling the long distance from Chikmagalur to Bangalore made frequent play a massive hurdle. It was this frustration that ignited a bold dream: to build a world-class golf course in their own hometown.
In 1996, Sudarshan shared his dream with friends and family. While met with initial scepticism, the vision quickly gained traction.
Leveraging the stellar local reputation of Sudarshan’s parents—the Late Sri A.M. Basavegowda (MLA) and Late Smt Gowramma Basavegowda (a recipient of the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award and dedicated philanthropist), the family successfully navigated the complex initial hurdles to lay the project’s foundation.
To bring the greens to life, the brothers enlisted Phil Ryan of Pacific Coast Designs, who was in India at the time redesigning the Bangalore Golf Club. Phil Ryan generously visited the empty site and provided the master plans at a concessional fee to help the struggling project find its feet.
The marvelous reality of CGC stands as an enduring tribute to its foundational leaders and community champions
He turned down political aspirations to fully pursue his lifelong dream of building this club.
His leadership and unwavering support on the greens set the athletic standard.
Crucial in keeping the club’s growth financially stable.
Vice President Mr. D. L. Krishna Murthy, Honorary Secretary Mr. A. S. Shankare Gowda, and founding members like Gopalakrishna, T. Jayaprakash, A. C. Satishchandra, A. C. Sureshchandra, S.R. Sathyanarayana, and T.M. Jaydev played pivotal roles in the club’s foundation and success.
Unreserved encouragement came from the Government of Karnataka and eminent figures such as IAS officers Sri B.S. Patil, Dr. B.K. Das, Sri K. Jothiramalingam, Dr. C Somashekar, and IPS officials Sri T. Jayaprakash and Dr. S. Parashiva Murthy.
Today, spanning 82 acres, CGC is far more than just a golf course. It has successfully put Chikmagalur on the global map as both India’s coffee capital and a premium golfing destination.
CGC now boasts official affiliations with 36 clubs across India and internationally.
The club stands as a fierce champion for the fragile Western Ghats, passionately promoting conscious tourism and protecting the local biodiversity.
By blending the area’s lush coffee culture, cascading waterfalls, and scenic hills with world-class sports, CGC has permanently enriched the cultural landscape.
As we celebrate this Silver Jubilee, we honor the pioneering spirit of our founders. Their legacy continues to thrive, fostering a one-of-a-kind cultural and sporting hub for generations to come.
A B Sudarshan had just lost his father. He needed something to hold onto. He turned to golf.
But there was no golf course in Chikmagalur. To play a round, one had to drive to Bangalore or cross into Coorg.
In 1996, he shared an idea with a small group of family and friends. A golf course. Here. In Chikmagalur. The room was sceptical. But the idea had taken hold.
Word spread quickly. A small group of planters, professionals and family members came together. They were 11 people with a shared obsession and not much else. They met. They argued. They committed.
That same year, they met Phil Ryan at the Kadur Club and he came on board.
Land was the hardest part. Finally they acquired 56 acres outside Chikmagalur town.
The place had a name already: Karadihallikaval. Even the land knew this was something worth protecting.
The Chikmagalur Golf Club Trust was formally established. 51 founding members came forward pure faith and trust on A.B. Sudharshan and family.
Phil Ryan's design took shape on the land. In 2002, Chief Secretary Government of Karnataka B.S. Patil, IAS inaugurated the first nine holes. The course was open.
Members needed a place to gather. The Members' Clubhouse was inaugurated — again by Mr. B.S. Patil, IAS. Chikmagalur had a golf club. A real one.
The first block of rooms was completed in 2005. The second followed in 2006. The Clubhouse Annexe came in 2008. The club filled up. Families came for weekends. Golfers came for the course. Word was getting around.
The club bought 25 more acres. A second nine holes was possible now. The dream was getting bigger.
Construction on the second nine began in 2012. Phil Ryan returned. He knew this land well by now. The back nine took shape through the coffee-scented hills.
In 2015, the full 18-hole course was inaugurated. Three Indian cricket legends were there for the opening: Sri. Anil Kumble, Sri. Rahul Dravid, Sri. Javagal Srinath. They teed off. The crowd cheered.
A course that had started as a dream in a grieving man's mind was now being celebrated by national heroes.
A gym. A swimming pool. An office block. All completed and opened. The club was now a full-fledged. Not just a golf course. A place to play, stay, eat, swim, and breathe.
The Fairway Lounge Bar was inaugurated. A place to end the round properly. Sunsets over the 18th green. The hills in the background. You'll want to stay for one more. The Grand sofas by Ovion.
The Silver Jubilee. 25 years since the CGC Trust was formed. 82 acres of immaculate fairway. Affiliations with 36 clubs across India and internationally. A staff who has given decades to this place. Members whose families have grown up here.
The dream is still growing.