Bhavacakra GC, Nepal - National Treasure Contest
Apr 28, 2018 2:59:26 GMT -5
SAM, bogeyman, and 5 more like this
Post by coggin66 on Apr 28, 2018 2:59:26 GMT -5
This is my entry into the National Treasure Contest. I like to have a back story to my courses so here it is.
THE ORIGINS OF THE COURSE
In the early years of the 20th century, a golf obsessed Aussie was trekking in the alpine region of the Eastern Himalayas close to what is now the Makalu Barun National Park. He found himself staying at a Buddhist monastery perched on a rocky outcrop above the treeline at about 4,500m or 15,000 ft above sea level. He was curious about a circular picture on the wall of his meditation chamber in the monastery. At the start of one of his meditation sessions he asked the Khenpo (Abbot) Wee Kee Pidiha about the picture. The Khenpo explained:
"That is the bhavacakra. It is a symbolic representation of samsara or cyclic existence. Samsara in Buddhism is the cycle of repeated birth, mundane existence and dying again. Nirvana is the eternal state of being where Karma and Samsara no longer exist. It represents the end of desire, suffering and individual consciousness. Until Nirvana is reached through enlightenment, the cycle of Samsara is repeated over and over. The Buddha said: 'One who is willing to attain Nirvana, has to understand Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths are a proper understanding of Suffering, the Cause of Suffering, the Relief of Suffering and the Way to End Suffering.' "
During the following meditation session the idea came to the Aussie. The monastery should build a golf course in the surrounding valleys. It would be a great teaching tool for the monks and visitors alike. Nothing teaches an understanding of suffering like playing golf. Every 9 or 18 holes cycle back to the clubhouse. Hopefully the golfers learn something but whether they do or don't, they still go round again and again hoping for a round where they no longer suffer and they instead get a glimpse of Nirvana.
The Khenpo agreed and so the Bhavacakra Golf Course was born.
THE COURSE
The course was built by the hands of the monks using traditional materials following the Aussie's design. The final result is a fairly simple course in design with a single set of tees; few bunkers due to the lack of available materials; and limited landscaping to create the holes.
The 6,940 yard, par 71 course is nestled into the various valleys, ridges and plateaus around the monastery. The alpine area is above the treeline so there are no trees or bushes. It is just the raw, natural alpine pastures and meadows and rugged mountain landscape. The course continues to be maintained as it always has been by hand mowing and natural grazing by herds of goats (yes, this course is an actual goat track!
). The fairways and greens are mowed out of the natural heavy rough so consequently there is no light rough and the greens are not that fast. There is also no access by motorised transport so all guests arrive via the neighbouring valley and get to the clubhouse by walking or on horseback. Each golfer walks the course and is aided by a sherpah-monk-caddy.
Any round at Bhavacakra is part golf, part mountain trek and part Buddhist allegory. There is also very little in-course out of bounds so if you get into trouble you must either get yourself out; use unplayable options wisely; or accept the opportunities to better understand Suffering. Enjoy your search for golfing Nirvana!
PS: I'm also ready to get my understanding of Suffering when the you and the judges give your feedback!
CONDITIONS ON PLAY DAY
Time of Day: 2:30pm
Weather: Clear blue skies but recent rains have filled the lakes and all the water falls are flowing
Fairways: Medium firmness
Greens: Medium firmness with 144 speed
SCORECARD
Don't be put off by the long 9th and 18th par 5 holes. They are both reachable in two shots!
A FEW SCREENSHOTS
Aerial Overview
Clubhouse
Hole 2 - Teeshot
Hole 3 - Teeshot
Hole 5 - Approach shot
Hole 6
Hole 7 - Approach shot
Hole 8
Hole 11 - Approach shot
Hole 14 - Teeshot
Hole 17 - Teeshot
Masti garna!
THE ORIGINS OF THE COURSE
In the early years of the 20th century, a golf obsessed Aussie was trekking in the alpine region of the Eastern Himalayas close to what is now the Makalu Barun National Park. He found himself staying at a Buddhist monastery perched on a rocky outcrop above the treeline at about 4,500m or 15,000 ft above sea level. He was curious about a circular picture on the wall of his meditation chamber in the monastery. At the start of one of his meditation sessions he asked the Khenpo (Abbot) Wee Kee Pidiha about the picture. The Khenpo explained:
"That is the bhavacakra. It is a symbolic representation of samsara or cyclic existence. Samsara in Buddhism is the cycle of repeated birth, mundane existence and dying again. Nirvana is the eternal state of being where Karma and Samsara no longer exist. It represents the end of desire, suffering and individual consciousness. Until Nirvana is reached through enlightenment, the cycle of Samsara is repeated over and over. The Buddha said: 'One who is willing to attain Nirvana, has to understand Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths are a proper understanding of Suffering, the Cause of Suffering, the Relief of Suffering and the Way to End Suffering.' "
During the following meditation session the idea came to the Aussie. The monastery should build a golf course in the surrounding valleys. It would be a great teaching tool for the monks and visitors alike. Nothing teaches an understanding of suffering like playing golf. Every 9 or 18 holes cycle back to the clubhouse. Hopefully the golfers learn something but whether they do or don't, they still go round again and again hoping for a round where they no longer suffer and they instead get a glimpse of Nirvana.
The Khenpo agreed and so the Bhavacakra Golf Course was born.
THE COURSE
The course was built by the hands of the monks using traditional materials following the Aussie's design. The final result is a fairly simple course in design with a single set of tees; few bunkers due to the lack of available materials; and limited landscaping to create the holes.
The 6,940 yard, par 71 course is nestled into the various valleys, ridges and plateaus around the monastery. The alpine area is above the treeline so there are no trees or bushes. It is just the raw, natural alpine pastures and meadows and rugged mountain landscape. The course continues to be maintained as it always has been by hand mowing and natural grazing by herds of goats (yes, this course is an actual goat track!
). The fairways and greens are mowed out of the natural heavy rough so consequently there is no light rough and the greens are not that fast. There is also no access by motorised transport so all guests arrive via the neighbouring valley and get to the clubhouse by walking or on horseback. Each golfer walks the course and is aided by a sherpah-monk-caddy.Any round at Bhavacakra is part golf, part mountain trek and part Buddhist allegory. There is also very little in-course out of bounds so if you get into trouble you must either get yourself out; use unplayable options wisely; or accept the opportunities to better understand Suffering. Enjoy your search for golfing Nirvana!
PS: I'm also ready to get my understanding of Suffering when the you and the judges give your feedback!
CONDITIONS ON PLAY DAY
Time of Day: 2:30pm
Weather: Clear blue skies but recent rains have filled the lakes and all the water falls are flowing
Fairways: Medium firmness
Greens: Medium firmness with 144 speed
SCORECARD
Don't be put off by the long 9th and 18th par 5 holes. They are both reachable in two shots!
A FEW SCREENSHOTS
Aerial Overview
Clubhouse
Hole 2 - Teeshot
Hole 3 - Teeshot
Hole 5 - Approach shot
Hole 6
Hole 7 - Approach shot
Hole 8
Hole 11 - Approach shot
Hole 14 - Teeshot
Hole 17 - Teeshot
Masti garna!
