GRIEVANCE PETITION BY THE GOLF PLAYING MEMBERS, AGAINST THE MAKING OF A JOGGING TRACK WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE GOLF COURSE

Committee of Management,
Lahore Gymkhana Club,
Upper Shahra-e-Quaid-e-Azam,
Lahore.
 
 
12.05.2020
 
 
Subject:           GRIEVANCE PETITION BY THE GOLF PLAYING MEMBERS, AGAINST THE MAKING OF A JOGGING TRACK WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE GOLF COURSE.
 
Dear Sir,
            In these agonizingly testing times, where we have been forced to stay indoors and prevented from playing golf, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the news regarding approval granted for the construction of a Jogging Track within the boundaries of the Golf Course was utterly shocking. This recent development has constrained us to evoke your indulgence in this matter of immediate concern.
           
Dear Sir, the undersigned through this grievance application, request you to kindly recall and rescind the approval given for construction of Jogging Track within the boundaries of the Golf Course for the following reasons: -
 
i.      Incorporation of a Jogging track within the golf course tantamount to a material change therein, which cannot be done without the consent and association of the Golf Playing Members. Like other sports facilities of the Club, the Members and the Golf Committee have exclusive power over all the policy matters and decisions relating to the Golf Course. It is pertinent to mention here that the Golf Committee in its meeting held on 09 May 2020 unanimously opposed the construction of Jogging track in the golf course. Therefore, no decision regarding the Course can be taken without their approval. This requirement has not been fulfilled in this instance. In this context, we already have such precedents within the Club’s history where, as per settled conventions and traditions, decisions regarding the Tennis Club are exclusively taken by the Tennis Committee and Tennis Playing Members. The members who do not play tennis have no say in their affairs. Similarly, matters pertaining to the Club Gymnasium are exclusively dealt by the Gymnasium Committee and the Members who use the gymnasium facilities. In such a situation, how can the Golf Playing Members and the Committee be denied the right to exclusively decide whether the Jogging Track is conducive for the Golf Course or not? It must be left solely to the Golf Playing Members & Committee to decide whether this track should be made or not, either through a vote on the notice board or through any other appropriate procedure.
 
ii.     A Jogging Track within the Golfing Grounds could have disastrous consequences as it poses a serious threat to life and health. Any commuter on the track could get seriously injured or risk his life on being hit by a golf ball. One such incident could have serious ramifications for the Club Management.
 
iii.    The Jogging Track will result in creation of unnecessary extended free drop areas which will not only cause disruption in play but will severely affect its pace, during normal days and during local, national and international tournaments.
 
It is significant to mention here that the substantial changes made in R&A Golf Rules, 2019 were specifically aimed at increasing the pace of play. On many occasions the Golf Committee of this club had thought of incorporating Cart paths for the Buggies and making flower beds for beautification of the course, but these ideas had to be shelved as Gymkhana’s Course has very tight fairways, unlike Raya and Garrison, hence, such addition would have led to creation of superfluous free drop areas which would have severely affected pace of play.
 
Thus, the jogging track will not only lead to severely slowing down the pace of play, but its existence will be in violation of the spirit of the game and the Rules propounded by R&A. It must also be noted that there is no concept of a Jogging Track within the golf course as there is no such provision in any of the recognized golfing codes, rules and regulations at the International level.
 
iv.        In reiteration of the afore-stated facts, it is respectfully submitted that the inclusion of the jogging track will militate against the settled rules and traditions regarding management of the Club affairs. Besides, not only would this Track pose a serious threat to the life and health of the members using it, but it would cause severe disruption in the pace of play as a result of the creation of unnecessary hindrances and extended free drop areas. Moreover, if the track is allowed to be made, the Gymkhana Golf Course will lose its stature and capability to host international golf tournaments.
           
With positive optimism and sanguineness, we await your intervention in this serious issue and beseech to you to please withdraw and rescind the approval granted for the construction of the Jogging Track within the boundaries of the Golf Course and ensure that any such plan is shelved for all times to come.
 
Yours truly

Members, Lahore Gymkhan Club    Contact the author of the petition