How would it feel to hit your drive, smack down the centre of the fairway, 320 yards away? Darned good right? How would it feel to walk all the way up to the spot where the ball has finished just to see a lousy bird flying away with the ball in its beak? If you happen to play at the Bangalore Golf Club, it would be a little more than a rare occurrence as the crows at the course are more of a menace than you would have bargained for! So much so that the club logo depicts a crow with a ball in its beak!!
Established in 1876, the Bangalore Golf Club course is the oldest existing course in India. No No, you can calm the raised eyebrows, we are not misguiding you. While the Royal Calcutta Golf Club might be the oldest club outside the British Isles, the fact is that the Royal has had to change its course three times, with the present one thrown open to the members in 1912. That technicality pushes the Bangalore Golf Club into the pages of history, although, it is seldom recognised for this feat.
With the city boasting of two other quality courses, KGA and Eagleton, it is the unique logo of BGC that brings it to the forefront of our conscience. The menace is at its peak right after mating season, with an average of three-four balls falling prey to the crow's insecurity everyday.
Such instances have been recorded at some of the best courses. Perhaps, none more famous than in '98 at the famed 17th at TPC Sawgrass, when Steve Lowery struck his tee shot towards the island green. A seagull swooped down and tried to fly away with the ball-:
What do you do in such a situation? Fret not because Rule 18.1 will come to your rescue-:
"If a ball at rest is moved by an outside agency, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced."
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