Major (retd) Rajinder Singh Virk Lalli elected Chandigarh Golf Club president

Under a clear blue sky and a warm winter sun, the manicured greens of the Chandigarh Golf Club on Sunday witnessed far more than a routine annual election. What unfolded was an afternoon steeped in politics, power play and prestige as the city’s political class, senior bureaucrats, decorated soldiers, top sportspersons and the region’s elite queued up to vote at one of North India’s most exclusive clubs.

When the dust settled, Major (retd) Rajinder Singh Virk Lalli emerged as the new president of the Chandigarh Golf Club, scripting a decisive victory after two earlier heartbreaks. Virk defeated Captain Mohanbir Singh (retd), popular as Bunny, by a thumping margin of 304 votes in a straight contest between two Army veterans.

Virk secured 775 votes against Bunny’s 471. Of the 1,254 ballots polled, 1,246 were declared valid, while eight were rejected. With nearly 1,800 eligible voters, the turnout touched an impressive 69%, the highest in recent years, underlining how keenly the election was watched. The polling followed a year-long gap, as the previous House had been elected unanimously, and marked a return to hard-fought, competitive club politics.

The voting began after the annual general meeting at 11.30 am and continued till around 4.30 pm. Long queues snaked through the club premises through the afternoon as voters arrived steadily, many lingering to exchange views, campaign quietly and soak in the charged atmosphere. Results for the president’s post were declared in the evening, triggering celebrations among Virk’s supporters. The counting for the 11-member executive committee is scheduled for the following day.

The contest carried a strong undercurrent of personal perseverance. Virk, a veteran of the 15 Guards Regiment and former Aide-de-Camp to Tripura Governor, had lost narrowly in the past two elections — by 97 votes in 2022 and just 29 votes in 2023. This time, his steadily expanding support base translated into a record-margin win. For many members, the verdict also carried emotional weight, coming after a difficult personal phase for Virk following the tragic loss of his younger daughter in a road accident in 2024.

Campaigning under the slogan “For accountability, credibility and transparency”, Virk led a diverse panel of doctors, legal professionals, seasoned golfers, businessmen and fellow veterans. His pitch centred on institutional reform, transparent governance and restoring member confidence, while stressing that golf must remain the club’s core focus.

The day also underlined the club’s unique standing in the region. Among those who turned up to vote were former Manipur Governor and The Tribune Trustee Gurbachan Singh Jagat, former NIA Director General and former Punjab DGP Dinkar Gupta, Chandigarh Home Secretary Mandip Singh Brar, Rajya Sabha MP and AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, former Union Minister and BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Punjab Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, MLAs Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Rana Gurjeet Singh, former Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh’s brother Raja Malvinder Singh, former ministers Jagmohan Singh Kang and Vijay Inder Singla, ace golfer Jeev Milkha Singh, former international badminton player Kanwal Thakar Singh and several other prominent names — a roll call that turned a club election into a mirror of regional power dynamics. As celebrations broke out, Virk described the mandate as a collective endorsement of his team’s vision. He said the club deserved to reclaim its place on the international golfing map and promised to work relentlessly to deliver on commitments made to members, golfers and caddies alike.

Speaking to The Tribune, Major Rajinder Singh Virk (retd) said the verdict was not just a personal victory but a vote of faith in transparent, inclusive governance. “I believe deeply in the legacy of this club and feel a strong responsibility towards its future. The biggest challenge before us is restoring full confidence in how the club is run — financially, operationally and transparently — so that every member feels assured and proud,” he said.

Virk said his administration would be driven by clarity of purpose, anchored on three pillars — golf-first governance with professional course management, transparent operations, including finances and tournaments, and time-bound solutions to long-pending issues such as parking and caddie facilities.

Addressing concerns about alleged losses in food and beverage operations, he said rumours would be replaced with facts. “Our first step will be an independent and transparent review of all operational areas. Financial discipline, revenue optimisation and strategic reinvestment will guide us towards sustainable, member-centric growth,” he added.

On stalled construction projects, Virk said future setbacks would be prevented through rigorous pre-approval checks, transparent tendering and continuous oversight by qualified member committees. He also expressed confidence that with improved course conditioning and facilities, Chandigarh could host a major international golf event within the next two to three years.

With a record turnout, a clear mandate and the region’s spotlight firmly on it, the Chandigarh Golf Club election reaffirmed that at this storied institution, the battle for the greens can be as keenly contested as any arena of public life.