Tee-point to fairway, it's all on the house

Situated at a vantage point near the 1st tee, is a sprawling structure that Jeev Milkha Singh will soon call home away from Chandigarh. Robin Bose writes.

Situated at a vantage point near the 1st tee, is a sprawling structure that Jeev Milkha Singh will soon call home away from Chandigarh. Three years after he lent his name to the Kensville Golf and Country Club, which made him the first Indian golfer to have a signature course, the villa is being given finishing touches and the griha pravesh (housewarming) is due in April-May.

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Far from being a random property, Jeev and his wife, Kudrat, have keenly followed the progress as the dwelling took shape. Custom-designed as per the requirements laid down by the family, the emphasis has been on simplicity. "They were clear that the house should have a rustic finishing so as to gel with the surroundings," says Kiran Kapadia, the chief architect.

Featuring prominently in the wish list forwarded by the family, was that all rooms had to open onto a verandah with a view of the golf course. Another must was a bedroom on the ground floor for the senior Milkha Singh, given his advanced age.

Built on an area of 6,500 sq ft and at a cost of almost Rs 3 crore, a tour shows that Kudrat has had an overwhelming say - the extensive use of Jaisalmer stone on the exteriors and flooring and the application of neutral colours on the walls to give it a warm feel.

"Given that the winters are harsh in Chandigarh, the family can spend the Christmas break here," said a senior club official.