My time golfing in the Himalayas - Bhutan
By Mike Peck (Gross Men’s Club member)
In 1999 I flew on Royal Bhutanese Airways, BAE-146 Turbo-Prop from Kathmandu, Nepal to Paro, Bhutan. This route passed very close to Mt. Everest which was very cool to see with its elevation of 28,028’. Paro is the 2nd largest city in Bhutan with a current population of 11,000 (6,000 when I was there in 1999). It has the only airport in Bhutan and is considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world. In clear weather, the pilots do not see the runway until 500’, due to their zig zagging around mountains to get lined up for landing. In 1999, the government lifted a ban on television and the Internet, making Bhutan one of the last countries to introduce television.
Just landed at Paro, Bhutan in the BAE-146
Bhutan only allows 5,000 visitors per year. In order to receive a visa, you must sign up for a tour and pay a fixed $250 per day. This fee covers your tour guide, van, accommodations and 3 meals a day. I stayed in the country for 4 days, so $1,000. Last year I took a look and noticed that it was still $250 a day after 20 years!
Archery is the national sport of Bhutan
It was just me and my tour guide. He took me to many cultural sites and I learned that archery was their national sport. The clothing you see in this photo was very common for the men all the time. When we finished touring around Thimphu, I spotted the golf course and it was only 2 pm, so I went over to inquire about a game. I paid my fee to the only person in the small club house and went out to a small shack to select rental clubs. There were 3 boys who offered their caddying services to me. As I was putting together a set of clubs they kept asking me, “Sir, who are you going to hire to be your caddy?” I finally told them the 14 year old would be the caddy and the two 11 year olds would be forecaddies…’don’t lose my ball’.
The 3 caddies that I hired
Royal Thimphu Golf Course is located in the Himalaya capital city of Thimphu, Bhutan, population 114,000 (26,000 in 1999). A 9-hole golf course that sits beside the spectacular 17th century Tashico Dzong (the Palace of the King of Bhutan).
This is the only golf course in the country of Bhutan. Built in 1970’s by an Indian Army Officer. Membership is 100 golfers made up of mainly government officials and diplomats and is open to public visitors.
In recent times the R & A has provided funding to upgrade the course. Two sets of tees so you play the 9 hole course twice. Altitude of the course is at 8,200’. It has spectacular views of the rising mountains on the Tibetan border.
While playing the 9 hole course twice, there was only one other person and he was just ahead of me. Later, I met him in the clubhouse for a beer and he informed me that he was the King of Bhutan’s personal secretary. He told me that, due to a prophecy, the king married all four sisters of a family and they are referred to as The Sister Queens.
Here is a video of a flight from Kathmandu to Paro…you can see Mt. Everest and the famous landing into Paro. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbLHah4XUwk