The centenary celebrations of Mercara Downs, the iconic golf course situated at Madikeri in Kodagu (Coorg) district of Karnataka, will kick off on December 12 with a two-day bash.
From a nine-hole course on 30 acres during the British period, it now has 18 holes spread over 100 acres of pristine, gently rolling landscape on the outskirts of Madikeri.
I.K. Anil, 63, captain of the club, said it was planned to institute a centenary cup this year which would become an annual event. “With trophies and giveaways worth 4 lakhs, this competition is an event that will attract the best amateur golfers from South India. It will be an invitational event”, he added.
During the centenary bash, Trishul Chinnappa who recently won the Tata Steel 114th Amateur Golf Championship of India at the KGA course in Bengaluru, will be felicitated.
Mercara Downs, which has a helipad, will soon be a hot destination for golfers from abroad.
The other golf courses in Kodagu are at the Tata Coffee Golf Club at Pollibetta and the Coorg Golf Links at Bittangala.