Noted golfer Arjun Atwal and Gaurav Ghosh from J Thomas & Co met with Assam Chief Secretary Dr. Ravi Kota to explore the promotion of Assam’s unique tea estate golf courses, referred to as “tea-tees,” as a niche tourism experience. Assam boasts nearly 20 tea estate golf courses, primarily natural nine-hole layouts nestled within picturesque tea estates. Many of these sites also feature heritage bungalows that provide visitors with the unique opportunity to stay amidst tea gardens while enjoying golf and exploring the tea country.
During their discussions, it was emphasized that these tea-tees embody a unique combination of Assam’s tea heritage, natural beauty, and sporting tradition, creating a compelling attraction for both golf enthusiasts and tourists from across India and internationally. Atwal proposed a vision for the gradual renovation and enhancement of selected tea estate golf courses, starting with one or two pilot locations and eventually expanding into a broader network throughout the state. Furthermore, he expressed a desire to establish a golf academy or centre of excellence in Assam in the future to nurture local talent and promote the sport further.
Stakeholders plan to submit a comprehensive proposal detailing the concept and a roadmap for developing these tea estate golf courses into a viable tourism and sporting initiative. Following this, the Government of Assam will engage with tea garden managements and other relevant stakeholders to delve deeper into the proposal. This initiative has the potential to highlight Assam’s unique tea landscape while creating new opportunities for tourism and sports development within the region.
