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 Interactive map of Madras Gymkhana Club | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 13°04′19″N80°16′38″E / 13.07207°N 80.27720°E /13.07207; 80.27720 |
| Location | Chennai, India |
| Established | 1886; 139 years ago (1886) |
| Total holes | 18 |
| Website | www |
TheMadras Gymkhana Club (MGC) is an elite social club inChennai,India, which was founded in 1884 to promote sports and social and cultural activities. It owns and operates one of Chennai's two 18-holegolf courses, one of Asia's oldest courses.Tamil Nadu GovernorSurjit Singh Barnala publishedThe Glory Years,[1] a coffee-table book commemorating the club's 125th anniversary, in 2009.[2]
The club was founded in April 1884. Early membership was restricted to garrison members, British executives and some upper-caste Indians. A tent was erected, and early activities includedpolo andpigsticking. TheRaja of Venkatagiri donated a grandstand.[3][4] In addition to playing polo, members begantrap shooting and playing cards, rugby, tennis and golf. TheSouth Indianrajas made donations for buildings,billiard tables andpolo ponies.
The club's history is intertwined with the history of India. Although an ordinance expelled its German members at the onset of the First World War, the club later learned that most of the German settlers had already fled. Women were allowed to join the club as "Independent Lady Members" from 1971.[1]
Abowling green was established, along with a ballroom in the paddock. Dance nights concluded with grand suppers, where dancers were photographed. A swimming pool was built, at which the American Olympic gold medalistSammy Lee performed a diving exhibition. The club kitchen was upgraded with an ice-making plant, an ice–cream machine and freezer. Aminiature golf course was built, and thebar was renovated.
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The club has 15 rooms: three deluxe, six regular and six suites. Accommodations are provided for members of domestic and internationally affiliated clubs.[1] All rooms are air-conditioned.[1]
The club has four lighted tennis courts, andVijay Amritraj played there. It held the firstSouth India Championships in 1889, and hosted for many years after. It has hosted severalInternational Tennis Federation tournaments and the women's national championships. The club also has a gym, swimming pool, billiards, table tennis and a cards room.[1]
The MGC also has a sports shop, salon, beauty parlour, ice-cream parlour and book and DVD libraries.
Originally on theIsland Grounds, the golf course was moved toGuindy around 1887. It originally had nine holes before increasing to 14, 16 and 18 holes. Golf here was originally played off the browns;[clarification needed] the transition togreens occurred during the 1980s. The Guindy course was known for itsroughs, made challenging by the shifting wind.[7] The 6,325/5765-yard course is within the 2,400-metre (1.5 mi) oval of theGuindy Race Course.[8]
Ross Thompson was the first captain of the golf club. The first inter-club competition between the MGC and theBangalore Golf Club was held in 1878, and it remains the world's oldest continuing competition between two golf clubs. In 2002, the golf club celebrated its 125th anniversary.[7]
The par-70 course is about 6,258 yards off the regular tees. There are also ladies tees and a set of championshiptee boxes. It has over 50bunkers, most guarding the relatively-small greens.[7]
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Sports venues inTamil Nadu | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cricket |  Chepauk stadium  SDAT stadium  Kari Speedway | |
| Football | ||
| Golf courses | ||
| Field hockey | ||
| Multi-purpose | ||
| Motorsport | ||
| Tennis | ||
| Others | ||
