Srinagar, June 2, 2026 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired the 9th Governing Body Meeting of the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC) at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), where a comprehensive review of the golf course’s operations, infrastructure, finances, and future development plans was undertaken.
During the meeting, Secretary Royal Springs Golf Course, Haris Ahmad Handoo, delivered a detailed presentation outlining the implementation of decisions taken in previous meetings, the institution’s financial and operational performance, membership profile, infrastructure requirements, and strategic plans for future growth.
The Governing Body reviewed ongoing progress and deliberated on a series of proposals aimed at strengthening facilities and enhancing the overall functioning of one of India’s most prestigious golf courses. Key proposals included the restoration and renovation of the golf course through expert consultancy services, enrolment of new golf-playing members, construction of a visually appealing boundary wall to prevent intrusion by wild animals, renovation of huts, solarization initiatives, and modernization of club facilities.
Plans were also discussed for upgrading the gymnasium, swimming pool, restaurant, and other recreational facilities, alongside revising fee structures to improve revenue generation for the maintenance and sustainable management of the golf course.
Emphasizing the importance of maintaining excellence, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stressed the need to enhance visitor experiences and ensure adherence to internationally accepted engineering and turf management standards.
He directed the management to focus on maintaining high-quality greens, fairways, and playing conditions that meet global benchmarks while preserving the unique ecological character of the course.
The Chief Minister highlighted the need for continuous infrastructure development and facility upgrades to attract a broader spectrum of visitors, including weekend golfers, corporate groups, tourists, and professional golfing enthusiasts.
“The golf course should continue evolving as a premier golfing and recreational destination that reflects the tourism potential and natural beauty of Jammu and Kashmir,” he emphasized.
The meeting also reviewed proposals concerning employee welfare, recruitment rules, service matters, financial management, and institutional strengthening. Discussions focused on improving operational efficiency, enhancing service delivery standards, and expanding golf tourism opportunities across the Union Territory.
Recognizing the Royal Springs Golf Course as one of the country’s finest golfing destinations, Omar Abdullah directed the Tourism Department and RSGC management to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for its restoration, modernization, and long-term development.
He called for the adoption of global best practices in golf course management, hospitality services, and turf maintenance to further elevate the facility’s reputation among domestic and international golfers.
The Chief Minister also stressed the importance of exploring sustainable revenue-generation models to ensure the long-term financial viability of the institution without compromising the exclusivity and quality of its services.
Highlighting the immense potential of golf tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, he instructed the management to formulate a strategy for attracting more national and international golf tournaments, strengthening promotional campaigns, and positioning Jammu and Kashmir as a premier golfing destination on the global tourism map.
He further directed that all future developmental initiatives be guided by principles of environmental sustainability, financial prudence, and institutional growth, while emphasizing employee welfare, skill enhancement, and capacity-building measures for professional management and efficient service delivery.
The Governing Body also reviewed the Budget Estimates and Action Plan for the financial year 2026–27, focusing on infrastructure enhancement, visitor amenities, and additional growth opportunities for the golf tourism sector.
The meeting concluded with detailed discussions on agenda items and directions for implementing various proposals in accordance with established procedures.
Among those present were Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary Tourism Ashish Chander Verma, Additional Chief Secretary Finance Shailendra Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Planning, Development & Monitoring Alice Vaz, Secretary RSGC Haris Ahmad Handoo, and Director Tourism Kashmir Syed Qamar Sajjad.
