Undecided and confused, I’m still in a quandary – who should I vote for? The course is playing just fine. All systems are in place. A sumptuous meal at the upper terrace, Friday tambola at the family lounge, serene drinking at the formal bar, binge drinking at the lounge bar… it couldn’t get better. The ever prompt, courteous and well-groomed staff makes your day pleasurable the moment you punch your card to gain entry into this haven called the Chandigarh Golf Club.
The run-up to elections has, no doubt, been exciting for two reasons – one, a ‘tear away’ effort by the gutsy committee member, and two, a threat to a hitherto monopolistic bastion of power.
All this, surely, has not been achieved overnight. It has been a cumulative effort of series of competent management committees chosen by illustrious members over the past half century. Thus, the KRA (key result area) of the incumbent committee, or the earlier committees and the future ones, have it clearly written on the wall: “Club supreme”.
I feel, other issues like guzzling booze, appeasement gimmicks and letter wars are frivolous. Thus, in the absence of a concrete agenda except that of refinement of the club’s functioning, how does a member decide on voting on April 19? Like scores of other confused members I would probably toss a coin to proceed though that may be unethical and curt.
We therefore sought the opinion of some sensible friends from my playing groups. One of them, the quintessential chip off the old block, had these points to make: “This time around we want change (the inclination for change has always been there but the initiative to bell the cat or rock the boat was lacking. The sitting president deserves to complete his second term (a fine guy, but hasn’t he had enough?). Let’s hold hands of the challenger (it’s not about sympathy, he’s going to run the club for you).• Some misdemeanors in catering and membership procedures have been perceived (why wait for April to air the grouse, what about the past 11 months?). Can he perform effectively? He has no experience (well, neither were the previous incumbents).”
{{/usCountry}}We therefore sought the opinion of some sensible friends from my playing groups. One of them, the quintessential chip off the old block, had these points to make: “This time around we want change (the inclination for change has always been there but the initiative to bell the cat or rock the boat was lacking. The sitting president deserves to complete his second term (a fine guy, but hasn’t he had enough?). Let’s hold hands of the challenger (it’s not about sympathy, he’s going to run the club for you).• Some misdemeanors in catering and membership procedures have been perceived (why wait for April to air the grouse, what about the past 11 months?). Can he perform effectively? He has no experience (well, neither were the previous incumbents).”
{{/usCountry}}Both contestants have two things in common – an endearing smile and an affable disposition. They, along with their team members, have conducted themselves as dignified men, a hallmark of all the club members. The choice, in essence, remains between the status quo and a change of guard. In a lighter vein, after all it’s only for a ‘reserved parking space’ that this entire hullabaloo is about! Nevertheless, I’m keeping my fingers crossed and my ballot intact!
The writer is a member of the Chandigarh Golf Club.