Shubhreet Oberoi
New Delhi 21 December 2005
Shell Chairman Vikram Mehta & Pepsi CEO Rajeev Bakshi Popular At Golf Clubs
DECADES ago, a club was a place to visit after work to relax, have a drink and play cards. Boy, don't you think things have changed since then. Clubs, now, are a popular turf for networking and closing business deals. They are no longer an after-work haunt, rather an ex tension of the office itself. No wonder that corporates are piling up memberships at a high speed.
But if you thought that acquiring membership to these clubs is easy, think again. Most clubs admit only corporate members, and that too only period ically. The membership runs into several lakhs of rupees per head and there is an interview process where committee members meet prospective members. Their high membership fees and scarce availability have made memberships of these ex clusive clubs a status symbol in urban India.
The list of the top clubs in terms of popularity among the industry captains include Delhi Golf Club; DLF Golf and Country Club; Bombay Gymkhana; Bombay Presidency Golf Club; Madras Club; Madras Gymkhana; Bangalore Club and Turf Club in Bangalore. A few of the top corporate chieftains still go to Delhi Gymkhana, but it's largely visited by bureaucrats.
Of all these, golf clubs are the preferred hotspot formostboardroombiggies, primarily because golf and business go hand-in-hand like strawberry and cream. In fact, an attitudinal study by Hyatt Hotels and Resorts tided 'Golf and the Business Executive' reveals that 93% of the respondents agree that golfing with a business associate is a good way to establish a closer relationship. About 80% saythey find golfing a good way to make new business con tacts and 35% revealed that some of their biggest business deals were made on the golf course.
According to Nawabzada Omer Bin Jung, managing director, Prestige Leisure Resorts, Ban galore: "It is an elite sport and helps in anchoring business. Which other sport gives you time of about four hours to share thoughts and even click deals when you are involved in the same activity? Golfing helps in developing PR too." Fat cats like Shell chairman Vikram Mehta, Pepsi CEO Rajeev Bakshi, Jindal Steel CEO Rattan Jindal are now common faces at popular golf clubs.
Rattan Jindal explains the attraction: "It is the nature of the game. You develop a kind of camaraderie on the golf course. Long hours spent together on the greens actually bring people closer as you get to know a person in a different environment." This passion for golf has led to golf clubs gaining an edge over other clubs. It stems from the poshness of the game such as polo. It is the game of the successful and the elite. "I am very passionate about Golf and I always try and manage two rounds a week at the DLF Golf club. JP Greens is another course that I enjoy visiting once in a while," Ravi Kumaraswami, managing director, Asia Pacific, Ariba.
In fact, in some aspects, golf scores over polo too. "It is a leisurely game where you need not be an athlete. Just be proficient in negotiating shots, while the long walk gives you enough exercise and time to socialise," explains Ranjit Narsimhan, CEO, HCL BPO.
Golf clubs offer an environment made for business to the tee. It is the differentiating factor—the scope to network and build relationship —which is boosting the clubs' populari ty. "I feel the growth has been huge with the cor porate aura spreading in the city at a fast pace," says Vikram Mehta, chairman, Shell.
Since no other sporting activity can give you more than four hours to share thoughts, assess your playing partner and even click deals in a soothing, serene relaxed environment. It is little wonder that corporate heavyweights drool over the game. Con sidering that networking is the rule of the business game, golf clubs are becoming the territory for any thing from entertaining important clients and launching new products to hosting annual staff par ties and organising team-building exercises.
According to Rajneeta Kevalramani, vice presi dent, western region, Tiger Sports: "Back in 1995, we staged three corporate golf events. Today, the count has risen to 60 across India. Sponsors of these events include Citibank, ABN Amro, Lacoste and Arnex. Some of our participants include Harsh Mariwala, CMD, Marico Industries and Romesh Sobti, country representative and executive VP, ABN Amro. The fact is, four hours spent on the green are as crucial for building relationships as is any work environment. Corporates relate to golf in a way that is distinct from the layman's take."
Golf may also be the latest value addition to one's CV, with many potential employees flocking to the sport to enhance their job. So the next time you have to seal a deal, forget a fancy lunch or a black-tie dinner. Dump your three-piece and settle for the shorts and tees. And if you still haven't picked up the club, just take lessons and get going!
New Delhi 21 December 2005
Shell Chairman Vikram Mehta & Pepsi CEO Rajeev Bakshi Popular At Golf Clubs
DECADES ago, a club was a place to visit after work to relax, have a drink and play cards. Boy, don't you think things have changed since then. Clubs, now, are a popular turf for networking and closing business deals. They are no longer an after-work haunt, rather an ex tension of the office itself. No wonder that corporates are piling up memberships at a high speed.
But if you thought that acquiring membership to these clubs is easy, think again. Most clubs admit only corporate members, and that too only period ically. The membership runs into several lakhs of rupees per head and there is an interview process where committee members meet prospective members. Their high membership fees and scarce availability have made memberships of these ex clusive clubs a status symbol in urban India.
The list of the top clubs in terms of popularity among the industry captains include Delhi Golf Club; DLF Golf and Country Club; Bombay Gymkhana; Bombay Presidency Golf Club; Madras Club; Madras Gymkhana; Bangalore Club and Turf Club in Bangalore. A few of the top corporate chieftains still go to Delhi Gymkhana, but it's largely visited by bureaucrats.
Of all these, golf clubs are the preferred hotspot formostboardroombiggies, primarily because golf and business go hand-in-hand like strawberry and cream. In fact, an attitudinal study by Hyatt Hotels and Resorts tided 'Golf and the Business Executive' reveals that 93% of the respondents agree that golfing with a business associate is a good way to establish a closer relationship. About 80% saythey find golfing a good way to make new business con tacts and 35% revealed that some of their biggest business deals were made on the golf course.
According to Nawabzada Omer Bin Jung, managing director, Prestige Leisure Resorts, Ban galore: "It is an elite sport and helps in anchoring business. Which other sport gives you time of about four hours to share thoughts and even click deals when you are involved in the same activity? Golfing helps in developing PR too." Fat cats like Shell chairman Vikram Mehta, Pepsi CEO Rajeev Bakshi, Jindal Steel CEO Rattan Jindal are now common faces at popular golf clubs.
Rattan Jindal explains the attraction: "It is the nature of the game. You develop a kind of camaraderie on the golf course. Long hours spent together on the greens actually bring people closer as you get to know a person in a different environment." This passion for golf has led to golf clubs gaining an edge over other clubs. It stems from the poshness of the game such as polo. It is the game of the successful and the elite. "I am very passionate about Golf and I always try and manage two rounds a week at the DLF Golf club. JP Greens is another course that I enjoy visiting once in a while," Ravi Kumaraswami, managing director, Asia Pacific, Ariba.
In fact, in some aspects, golf scores over polo too. "It is a leisurely game where you need not be an athlete. Just be proficient in negotiating shots, while the long walk gives you enough exercise and time to socialise," explains Ranjit Narsimhan, CEO, HCL BPO.
Golf clubs offer an environment made for business to the tee. It is the differentiating factor—the scope to network and build relationship —which is boosting the clubs' populari ty. "I feel the growth has been huge with the cor porate aura spreading in the city at a fast pace," says Vikram Mehta, chairman, Shell.
Since no other sporting activity can give you more than four hours to share thoughts, assess your playing partner and even click deals in a soothing, serene relaxed environment. It is little wonder that corporate heavyweights drool over the game. Con sidering that networking is the rule of the business game, golf clubs are becoming the territory for any thing from entertaining important clients and launching new products to hosting annual staff par ties and organising team-building exercises.
According to Rajneeta Kevalramani, vice presi dent, western region, Tiger Sports: "Back in 1995, we staged three corporate golf events. Today, the count has risen to 60 across India. Sponsors of these events include Citibank, ABN Amro, Lacoste and Arnex. Some of our participants include Harsh Mariwala, CMD, Marico Industries and Romesh Sobti, country representative and executive VP, ABN Amro. The fact is, four hours spent on the green are as crucial for building relationships as is any work environment. Corporates relate to golf in a way that is distinct from the layman's take."
Golf may also be the latest value addition to one's CV, with many potential employees flocking to the sport to enhance their job. So the next time you have to seal a deal, forget a fancy lunch or a black-tie dinner. Dump your three-piece and settle for the shorts and tees. And if you still haven't picked up the club, just take lessons and get going!
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