Bengaluru: Veteran golfer from Kodagu, I. K. Anil, was felicitated by Bangalore Golf Club (BGC) during the club’s 150th year celebrations held on June 26, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the game of golf.
The honour was presented by Anand Srinivasan, the then Secretary and current Captain of Bangalore Golf Club, who, while felicitating Anil on stage, recalled his invaluable contribution to the sport and his long-standing association with South Indian golf.
I. K. Anil is among Kodagu’s most respected golfing personalities and has played a pivotal role in promoting and preserving the sport in the district. A long-time member and former Captain of Mercara Downs Golf Club (MGDC), a position he held for 16 years, Anil has been instrumental in maintaining and developing one of India’s most scenic mountain golf courses while nurturing Kodagu’s golfing tradition.
He is also a founding member of Coorg Golf Links (CGL) and Ex-President of UPASI Sports Club. Beyond his achievements as an accomplished amateur golfer, Anil has been a driving force behind organising prestigious tournaments, encouraging young talent, and promoting Kodagu as a premier golfing destination. His unwavering dedication has helped preserve the region’s unique golfing heritage while strengthening its standing in Indian golf.
Established in 1876 during the British era, Bangalore Golf Club is one of India’s oldest and most prestigious golf clubs. For nearly a century and a half, it has remained a landmark in the country’s golfing history. Nestled in the heart of Bengaluru, the club is renowned for its lush fairways, tree-lined course, and rich heritage, offering a unique blend of sporting excellence and timeless charm. Over the decades, BGC has hosted numerous distinguished golfers, prestigious tournaments, and generations of members, earning a reputation as one of the country’s most iconic golfing institutions.
Congratulations, I.K.! This truly calls for a celebration. When and where?
Proud of your achievement. You rightly deserve this honour.
I’m happy that BGC has recognized talent from outside Bangalore. Keep it up!
You should have brought your Hanumantha along as well.
Thanks for your kind words. The recognition by BGC was indeed a privilege. Equally, I will always promote, nurture and mentor the game in my homeland – Kodagu, MDGC especially.
Anil is a much admired sportsman and golfer in all the UPASI meets. His performances on almost all South Indian Golf Courses is stupendous – an extremely well known and affable gentleman. Deserves the BGC recognition and much more.
Anil has been a true blue Kodava golfer for as long as I can remember. Not only is MDGC development synonymous with his having been the longest standing Captain, but the awareness of Coorg as a golfing destination is to be attributed to his hard work. It always helps if you’re a Champion golfer – he sure is!
KGA and BGC are both special clubs and have had wonderful rounds of golf at both. The felicitation at BGC is a deep privilege and honour.
Anil Kuttappa is to golfing in Coorg as much as Coffee and Generals are! His felicitation at BGC is a well earned honour that Kodavas must be proud of.
Well deserved accolade IK. Your contribution to the sport is beyond reproach.
Thanks for your kind words Arjun.
Congratulations Anil.
In my opinion, you should be made a life member of all golf clubs in India and St. Andrews.
Thanks for your kind sentiments Dinesh. When you get to my years of experience – read age (!), just going out and getting a decent round of golf is a privilege. Life membership at each course – that’s a good one!
Heartiest congratulations on this richly deserved Honour. For years I have read about his achievements in almost every edition of CLN, and each story reflects the same unwavering passion, humility and commitment to the game. He has not only played golf with excellence but also dedicated his life to promoting the sport, mentoring young talent and ensuring that Kodagu remains firmly on india’s golfing map.
Such recognition is not merely an award, it is a tribute to a lifetime of selfless service to the game. Kodagu is immensely proud of him and his remarkable journey should continue to inspire generations to dream bigger, work harder and carry forward his extraordinary legacy. His contribution goes far beyond winning tournaments. Legends are remembered not only for the games they play but for the legacy they leave behind. A proud moment for Kodagu.
This is also an appropriate time to say a few words about his endeavours of creating and keeping the Coffeeland News platform going for over 25 years. The Online edition has raised the bar for responsible journalism and reporting with integrity. The well being of Kodagu and the Kodava identity has always been the priority for this paper. He has been a phenomenal source of encouragement for me and I feel very proud to be associated with CLN for two decades. Wishing him many more years of good health and continued inspiration for his future endeavours.
Thank you for the meaningful words. You have been a keen contributor and part of the Coffeeland Land family as far as I can remember. Your contributions have grown from strength to strength with experience. You now have an eager readership that waits for your words of wisdom in every issue. Keep up the good work and look forward to your continued support.
Super achievement, IK Anna. Your contribution to the game of golf and your achievements over the years have been truly remarkable. IKISM will be remembered forever.
Your support appreciation means the world to me Vivek. Every golfer develops their individual style – and IKism is part of the game – thanks for putting up with it!
The alumni from MCC have known Anil Kuttappa for over 50 years and some even more from his days at Baldwin Boys – he’s been an ace sportsman in school and college; it is no surprise that these skills naturally flowed into his game of “choice” – Golf.
Golf is one of the few sports where you call penalties on yourself, keep your own score, and respect your playing partners and the course – even when no one is watching. No referees. Just integrity, discipline, and honor. That’s why golf has long been known as a gentleman’s game.
And for those of us who have stayed the course with “IK” – he’s a thorough gentleman on and off the course. The recognition by BGC on their 150th Year Celebrations for Anil Kuttappa’s contribution to the sport is most well deserved. Needless to mention that his inheritance of the stewardship of Mercara Downs Golf Club was not serendipitous – it was carefully nurtured and a mentored choice by the likes of the previous Captains of the Club – the legendary Gen B C Nanda for instance. The development of the greens and infrastructure at MDGC to world class standards was stupendous and needless to say that it was ranked amongst the best hill station golfing destinations in the country under his charge.
Deeply appreciate your kind words. Golfing has been the centre stage of my life for close to five decades and I am grateful for all the support and mentorship that I’ve received all these years. This is a game where one doesn’t stop learning and there’s room for constant improvement. The golf course is the perfect platform for teaching humility and integrity while striving to excel in the sport. Thanks again for your support.