It was in 1973, that a group of avid golfers from Karnataka, embarked on a mission of identifying Bangalore as the golfing capital of South India. The search for a suitable site for an international standard golf course started in right earnest and in May 1980, the then Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri. R Gundu Rao personally took the initiative to hand over 125 acres of land in Challaghatta to the Karnataka Golf Association.

A group of dedicated golfers and the then chief minister formed the KGA some 29 years ago. They transformed the old Chalaghatta swamp into a green oasis. Originally designed by Peter Thomson (5-time Open winner) and remodelled recently, this a par 72 championship course has a slope rating of 131 off the white tees. Located just off the (old) Airport road, barely fifteen minutes from the city centre, this course boasts more than 25,000 trees and a dazzling variety of birds. Pied Kingfishers hover over the ponds while the Black Cormorants sun themselves on the banks. The Black headed Munias are one of the rarer species that choose this course as their home. Grebes stay within the protective confines of the rushes and emerge only for a quick meal on the slopes of the ponds. Summer at the KGA is a riot of colour.

The Cherry trees, the Acacias, the Jacaranda, and the fiery red Mayflower trees are in full bloom. The view of the stately club house as you walk down the 9th & 18th is truly spectacular. The club building is majestic and has the feel of a princely dwelling of yesterday. The restaurants offer traditional club cuisine from the Raj, naturally. But the Chinese and the South Indian menus are well rounded.