Almost every golfer’s wife hates the game — for, the game is the golfer’s ‘2nd wife’. The time, passion and energy golf requires, contrary to what people think, is commendably enormous. A deterrent in the lives of many golfers today, however, is the time factor, more so in big cities like Delhi and Bangalore.
Banking on the zealousness of avid golfers — who are torn between giving time to the game and family — builders are coming up with homes (houses, villas, apartments, etc), in a package deal with a golf course! So all a golfer needs to do is buy such a home, enjoy the game when he/she wishes, while being close to the family, who happily has access to facilities such as club house, spa, and the works!
Trendsetter
The first in this circuit, was Jaypee Greens at Greater Noida, near Delhi. It was the vision of its founder chairman, Mr Jaiprakash Gaur, who wanted a secured golf centric form of development. The project was started at 2001 on 197 acres. Residential development here started four years back. More than 80% of the inventory, including estate homes, villas, town homes and apartments, have been sold and the whole project of 452 acres will be completed by 2010.
Only 15% of the total land has been appointed for residential development, the remaining 85% includes an 18 hole-Greg Norman championship golf course, 9 hole chip and putt Graham Cooke signature golf course, parklands, children play areas, sports facilities, nature reserve, etc. Other facilities are a 300-room boutique spa hotel, town centre, social clubs, member exclusive golf club, integrated sports complex and well-equipped golf academy.
Where the residential area is concerned, while a 7,200 sq ft estate home costs Rs 8.20 crore, a 5,200 sq ft villa costs Rs 4.60 crore. The product, naturally, is positioned for primarily high net worth individuals like senior business professionals in large corporate houses, entrepreneurs, businessmen, etc. Not surprisingly, majority of the units that have been sold, are intended to be primary residence.
Is the golf home concept practical as a way of life?
Yes, says Mr Deepak Abbey, Assistant General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Jaypee Greens. “The proof of the viability of the concept lies in the response we have received from clients. More than 80% of inventory in Greater Noida which we have introduced, has been sold out. Keeping this in mind, we have recently launched our second project at Noida which will be developed on the same concept. It is a multi-generational gated golf centric development which offers luxurious apartments, residential plots and other recreational facilities.“
The concept is definitely filtering in Indian society, he reflects. There is new awakening and people want to live in serene environment having lot of open spaces, beautiful surroundings with sports and recreational facility.
Moreover, development like this comprises lesser population density, a secured environment and a neighbourhood of like–minded people.
Destination South
After the success of Jaypee Greens at Greater Noida near Delhi, in the north, our very own South is determined not to lag behind. QVC Realty is coming out with Golf Homes at Chikmagalur.
Quality of experience of the customer is a big decision, according to Mr Prakash Gurbaxani, founder and CEO, QVC Realty. “As the supply constraint goes away, the real estate industry will change. There is bound to be a disconnection of builder with the customer if there is no standard,” he insists, stressing on the importance of keeping in tune with the needs of the latter. “With India getting more globalised, global trends too have started impacting culture — accompanied with business becoming seamless,” he reflects.
For a multitude of reasons, in India, golf is looked upon as an elite sport — inaccessible to the public, says Gurbaxani. So, in order to counter the inaccessibility, QVC realty is coming up with Golf Homes in Chickmagalur, 200 kilometres from Bangalore. Still in the design and approval stage, the project is set for launch by middle of this year. A half-an-acre villa will cost between Rs 60 lakh and Rs 1.2 crore depending on the built-up area which will vary between 2,500 and 5,000 sq ft.
The golf course will provides facilities such as club house, driving range, golf academy, health spa, a resort with cottages, a sports complex and a set of convenience stores, some still in the development stage, and others already functional, along with a host of recreation options. While a 9-hole-golf course will come up on 40 acres, a 50-60 room resort will come up on 10 acres. This will primarily be a second home villa project. International leisure hospitality brands and golf course designers will design the project.
The Realty boom has reached a saturation point where it needs to diversify from the mundane to disperse off the inertia and offer something worthwhile to the demanding upwardly mobile clientele, in particular. Going with the fact that golf has always been considered a luxury sport, yet, in great demand, it goes without saying that for those who can afford it — a golf home is a good buy!
