Graeme MacNiven is the first hero of the DP World Indian Championship and the tournament hasn’t even started yet. No, he is not a golfer capable of regularly driving the ball 350 metres from the tee, at least as far as we know. Nor is he the player who leaves the ball closest to the pin on average in the DP World Tour, although he might hold that record at his club. We don’t know if he has ever made an albatross or how many holes-in-one he has achieved in his career, if any, but there is no doubt that he is a wizard in the care, protection, and preparation of golf courses. He has demonstrated this in recent days at the Delhi Golf Club in India.
MacNiven is the agronomy manager for the DP World Tour present this week in India. Five days ago, when he landed in the capital of India, he encountered a massive problem. It turns out that the Monsoon season had extended two weeks longer than usual in the capital, resulting in an additional two weeks of 70-80 litres of water daily on the course. This excess water and, above all, the reduced recovery time before the tournament have directly affected the tees and greens. There are 12 tees that are in great condition and six that are just about holding up.
Where MacNiven has worked his miracle is on the greens. Five days ago, they were in a bad state. When measured with the stimpmeter, they were at a speed of seven. Maximum concern. That same day, they were given a shock treatment with fertilisers, manure, and several areas were top-dressed with a very fine green sand and voilà… Five days later, the greens are more than decent and roll at eleven. Almost a point of speed per day. MacNiven, first hero of India. The European Tour claims that such a rapid and effective transformation in tournament preparation is rarely seen.
The other major curiosity of the week is related to air quality, an aspect always to be monitored in New Delhi and even more so now, four days before the start of Diwali, the Festival of Lights and the Hindu New Year. A five-day celebration symbolising the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. During this festival, which falls between mid-October and November, lamps are lit, houses are decorated, sweets and gifts are shared, and the values of community and prosperity are celebrated. Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and others also celebrate Diwali for different religious reasons, such as the worship of the goddess Lakshmi, the liberation of spiritual gurus, or the nirvana of Tirthankara Mahavira.
One of the main ways to celebrate is by lighting bonfires and fireworks, which symbolise that light and triumph over darkness. Although the celebration begins on 18th October, some burning of various objects is already taking place throughout the city, which obviously contributes to a deterioration in air quality. The DP World Tour is closely monitoring with constant measurements and has developed a detailed contingency plan. In the latest measurement, the air quality showed a value of 160. From 300 onwards, it is considered unhealthy for humans. It is rising by about 20 points per day. If it exceeds those 300 points, even the suspension of the tournament is not ruled out. At the same time, a wide range of masks, oxygen, and nebulisers are prepared in case they are needed. Hopefully, it won’t be necessary, but certainly, the European Tour won’t be caught off guard.
