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Golf Love: In Afghanistan and More
Thai writer Pira Sudham wrote a short story once about a farmer who lost his rice farm to a golf course developer because he didn't understand the terms of the contract. I can't remember which book the story is in, but for anyone interested in understanding the lives of Thai farmers, Pira Sudham is an excellent place to start. Monsoon Country is the novel that marked his literary success. After reading Sudham's story, one of my students at the time, a 10th grader at the Singapore American School, said that he would never look at golf courses in the same way. When a guy I once worked with said that he loves golf courses in Asia because they have the best views, I almost choked and kept myself from shouting out, "Haven't you ever read Pira Sudham?"
However, there is one golf course in Asia that I just read about in a New York Times article by Kirk Semple, that I so want to succeed. In Kabul, Afghanistan, one man started the Kabul Golf Course three years ago in anticipation of its success. The golf course business has not gone as well as he had hoped for, but he refuses to hang up his clubs for good. The course is a symbol to him that things will get better in his country. The description of the currently grassless golf course reminded me of a golf course I went to in Jos, Nigeria with a banker that I stayed with as part of a Rotary Club exchange program. Instead of the greens, it had the browns. I don't think my friend who likes golf courses would have liked the view from that one all that much. Personally, I was happy to see that water wasn't being wasted turning the brown to green. In Afghanistan though, a little green wouldn't hurt.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Stories, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Thailand
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
patricia Oct 15th 2007 4:54PM
Hello Jamie,
It's great to see you highlighting the story about the Kabul Golf Course. It really does serve a higher purpose in war torn Afghanistan than simply golf, and I'm hoping to set up a charity of sorts to help support the Kabul Golf Course. I'll keep you posted on any developments.
Patricia
www.thegolfgirl.blogspot.com
Jamie Rhein Oct 15th 2007 4:58PM
Thanks. I loved the NY Times article. Kirk Semple captured the situation and personalities so well. I could see it exactly. Good luck with your efforts.
Andrew A Oct 16th 2007 7:33AM
I actually got the chance to play this course while I was in Afghanistan back in 2004. It is a totally different experience than playing on a traditional course with fairways and greens. The Tee off for the 1st hole is spectacular, and the rest of the course is beautiful in a way that only Afghanistan can be. The course really is a testament of the will of the people to strive for peace, and it shows a side of the country that many people never hear about.
coach Oct 24th 2007 9:02PM
andrew a--loved the comment.
jamie--great picture of the course here: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5j14LCuO_8LsiQfuumPpO_IHa79SQ
Jamie Rhein Oct 24th 2007 1:44PM
Wow! What a great find. Also terrific update on the course. Thanks!