Ravibir Singh Grewal elected Chandigarh Golf Club president, wins by margin of 401 votes

Tribune News Service

Deepankar Sharda

Chandigarh, January 28

Fight for the top post of the Chandigarh Golf Club (CGC) ended in a one-sided result with three-time president Ravibir Singh Grewal defeating four-time chief Birinder Singh Gill by a margin of 401 votes. Voting started at 11 am and ended at 4.30 pm today.

The election witnessed a record voter turnout. Of a total of 1,800 registered voters, 1,183 members cast their vote, which is the highest polling in the past five years. Grewal polled 790 votes and Gill managed to bag 389. Four votes were declared invalid.

From politicians to international golfers, all turned up at the CGC to cast their vote. Gurbachan Jagat, former Governor of Manipur and trustee of The Tribune, along with golfers Jeev Milkha Singh (Padma Shri), Harmeet Kahlon (Arjuna Award), CEO of Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) Uttam Singh Mundy, city’s leading educationists RK Saboo (Padma Shri), Atul Khanna and HS Mamik, Patiala MP Preneet Kaur, Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa, former Punjab Cabinet minister Balbir Singh Sidhu and other dignitaries, cast his vote.

Fourth time president

Grewal was appointed acting president of the club in 2016-17 after then president Ishwar Partap Singh Mann passed away. In the following year (2017-18), he won the election against Ravinder Singh Virk by just 94 votes. Grewal once again filed papers for the top post in 2020-21. But after the withdrawal of nomination by his opponent, he was elected unopposed. He also got ample support from his team, which included three former captains and some new faces — which attracted the young voters. His main team members — Kulbir Singh Brar, Dr Agnish Rajesh, Rohit Singh Dagar and educationist Gupreet Singh Bakshi — actively interacted with the senior members of the club to garner support for Grewal. His team also enjoyed the support of the outgoing management, led by former president Lt Col HS Chahal, former secretary Mohanbir Singh, former chairman (screening) Amarinder Singh Aulakh and others who were also seen canvassing for Grewal today.

His future plans

After the landslide win, Grewal gave the credit to his team. “It was always the team’s endeavour to provide the club with clean, efficient, transparent and quality management. We contested the elections on the basis of what we delivered in the past,” said Grewal. While mentioning about his future plans, he said his priority would be development of golf and welfare of the members. “Special attention will be given to the golf course to ensure the best possible golfing conditions for members through the year. We will also focus on improving the pace of play and discipline in general. Tournaments will be restructured to ensure minimum disruption for playing members and a fair handicapping system will be put in place,” he added.

Previous highs in margins

2016: Ishwar Pratap Singh Mann defeated Dr Avtar Khara by 582 votes

2018: Birinder Gill defeated Lt Col JS Panag by 400 votes

2009: Birinder Gill defeated Lt Col (retd) AP Singh by 502 votes

Counting for executive today

The counting of votes for picking the 12-member executive committee will start at 9am on Monday.

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