Chandigarh, July 23 -- At 4pm on the green expanse of the Chandigarh Golf Club (CGC) bordering the iconic Sukhna Lake, Major RS Virk (retd) is in his element. The 59-year-old veteran effortlessly mixes military discipline with an easygoing charm. Posing for the camera on the 10th hole, he exudes the contagiously upbeat vibe of "chardi kala". Yet, behind his welcoming demeanour is a man on a mission-one determined to honour his election promises of transparency, modern governance, and community inclusion. Six months into his year-long tenure after securing the second-largest victory margin in club history against his close friend Capt Mohan Bir Singh (retd), Major Virk has moved swiftly. A former aide-de-camp to ex-Tripura governor Lt Gen KM Seth-father of Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth-he understands administrative rigour. "In the first 90 days, most of our key promises were delivered," he says, leaning into his core poll plank of institutional accountability. Major Virk's primary triumph sits right underfoot: The pristine 132-acre, 18-hole course that originated in 1966 and expanded across the road 30 years later. By bringing in professional superintendents from Delhi and revamping existing machinery without intrusive digging, the fairways stand at tournament-ready standards. Simultaneously, Virk has attempted to democratise the club's membership hierarchy, dismantling the notion that CGC is an elite enclave. Today, public enthusiasts can access weekday pay-and-play slots for Rs.875 during lean hours. Meanwhile, the club acts as a nursery for emerging talent. Through bi-annual junior camps advertised publicly, promising youngsters who achieve a handicap of six or below earn student memberships. Dependent youth at 21 progress to green card status-granting full playing rights and a pathway to permanent membership. This pathway bridges the generation gap across an 1,800-membership spectrum, spanning 102-year-old veteran Brig Wazir Singh Chaudhari and eight-year-old prodigy Nihal Cheema. Yuvraj Sandhu, 29, who started out as a student member and is now a green card holder, emphasises the potential for further growth at the club. "Golf carries a rich man's tag, but that isn't the reality. India's top players-from Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa to Anirban Lahiri and Shubhankar Sharma-all hail from defence backgrounds," Sandhu says, pointing to his own journey. "There is tremendous potential here, but CGC should focus on supporting junior players. With its bandwidth and resources, the club can build world-class practice facilities and putting greens that mirror international standards. Major Virk has vision, but there is room for improvement. Young talent needs consistent encouragement, and having the backing of your home course makes all the difference. Having walked that path myself, I know junior golfers deserve more support," says Sandhu. Tour professional Aadil Bedi, 25, who started playing at four and came through the club's junior camp incubator, admits: "Nothing changes overnight, it is a long process, but there has been steady improvement. Despite being a public course with a heavy footfall, CGC is on a par with the best courses in the country, including privately managed ones in Gurugram and Bengaluru. The management is doing a fantastic job in ensuring upkeep." He cites the second practice facility upgrade as a plus. On the evolving culture, he says: "Golf carries an elitist tag, but now the club is more inviting. Six of us pros, including Gaganjeet Bhullar and Karandeep Kochhar, hold monthly clinics for children during summer vacations, giving tips. We started weekly pro-pool mini-tournaments four years ago to give young golfers a competitive edge. The response has been overwhelming-we've had to cap entries at 40 participants, attracting kids from neighbouring cities." Beyond the greens, Major Virk has preserved historical ties with the armed forces, whose Western Command under Lt Gen PN Hoon provided equipment and personnel to carve out the entire 18-hole layout from nine holes in 1996-97. Mess memberships remain active for local defence units, with a posthumous award planned in Lt Gen Hoon's memory. On the administrative front, a reforms committee headed by a retired high court judge, who is also a club member, is reviewing internal operations. On the long-standing 2012 Right to Information (RTI) controversy, Major Virk maintains institutional compliance while awaiting the Punjab and Haryana high court's verdict on their second appeal, as the matter remains sub judice. Structural changes are also being tested in gameplay ahead of the flagship Chandigarh Golf League in October. The 24-team tournament format has been redesigned to ensure every handicap counts, mandating the inclusion of senior golfers and women on every squad to prevent team stacking. Environmental measures are also under test. Night golf capability has expanded with four lit holes and high-efficiency lighting, cutting energy bills by 20% alongside a rooftop 60kW solar installation and an ongoing tree plantation drive. On employee relations, the CGC has implemented a group life insurance scheme within a 60-day window covering 270 permanent staff and extending benefits to caddies and gardeners-supporting over 500 ground personnel and 400 families. Coupled with member-funded philanthropy that secured an ambulance and pro bono infrastructure upgrades, the management is working to reshape the club's internal culture. For the veteran at the helm, the sport remains a fundamental measure of conduct. "Golf is life. Play it well. Hang around a golfer for 18 holes and you know the person's character," hesigns off....