Noted golfer Arjun Atwal together with Gaurav Ghosh from J Thomas & Co met Assam Chief Secretary Dr. Ravi Kota to discuss promoting Assam’s unique tea estate golf courses, known as “tea-tees,” as a niche tourism experience. Assam hosts nearly 20 such courses, primarily nine-hole layouts set within picturesque tea estates, many of which include heritage bungalows, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to golf and explore the tea landscape. The potential of these tea-tees lies in their combination of tea heritage, natural beauty, and sporting tradition, aimed at attracting golf enthusiasts and tourists domestically and internationally. Atwal shared plans to gradually renovate and upgrade selected courses, starting with pilot locations, and eventually create a comprehensive network across Assam. He also proposed the establishment of a golf academy or center of excellence in the state to foster talent and promote the sport. The stakeholders will draft a detailed proposal outlining the concept and roadmap for developing these courses into a tourism and sports initiative, with the Government of Assam to engage tea garden managements and other stakeholders for further exploration of the proposal. This initiative could significantly highlight Assam’s unique tea landscape while enhancing options for tourism and sports in the state.
