The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has offered to run the Trivandrum Golf Club (TGC). TGC executive committee on Sunday gave its consent while replying to SAI Director General Jiji Thomson’s letter expressing its interest.

The golf club is in dire need of funds. Its course and club house are badly maintained after take over by the state government. There is no sand in the bunkers, the roof of the restaurant is leaking and the PF of the TGC employees continues to be withheld by the state government. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization had recently raided the club and confiscated cash before the state government could deposit it in the treasury.

“SAI’s proposal is a welcome gesture. There is a need for professional management of the club, which has close to 600 active members. I am sure the state government will allow SAI’s involvement as the common man’s money is currently being utilized to maintain the course and it’s burning a hole in the government’s pocket. SAI has our guarded consent as rights of our members must be protected,” said the golf club captain, John Thomas.

Thomson, an avid golfer, said he was aware that the club was in need of maintenance. “Talks were held at an unofficial level with the state government and the TGC. I know things are not going well for the TGC. I had some ideas in mind and wanted the members’ consent first. Now that I have it, I will study the matter closely, understand its liability and see what can be done at our end. The idea is to elevate the TGC to a Golf Academy, a first-of-its-kind in India run by a government entity,” he said.

The 25-acre golf club was taken over by the state during the LDF government after the revenue department directed the club’s management to vacate its premises for violating the license terms and conditions (the club was operating a bar on its premises and was also renting out its premises for private parties).