Munish Arora - first visit to the mother Pitch and Putt country
Indian Pitch and Putt pioneers Munish Arora and Jayant Trehan had been to the UK before but never to the Emerald Isle. Until July 2025, that is, when the intrepid duo embarked on a three-flight, day-long trip from Chandigarh via Delhi and London to Lucan for the FIPPA General Assembly and the European championship. Munish kindly recounted their experiences to fippa.org.
fippa.org: How much did you enjoy your first ever trip to Ireland?
Munish Arora: My first visit to Dublin Ireland, during the European Pitch & Putt championship was truly unforgettable. The warmth of the people, the passion for pitch and putt, and the rich sporting culture made it a very special experience. Dublin has a unique charm, and being surrounded by fellow enthusiasts of the game made it even more meaningful.
Was it worth a 24-hour trip from Chandigarh to Dublin?
Absolutely - every minute of the 24-hour journey was worth it. Representing & bidding my country to be part of FIPPA was both an honour and an inspiration. The opportunity to connect with international stakeholders and showcase our commitment to the sport made the long travel completely worthwhile.
Your impressions of the Lucan course and the European Team Championship?
Lucan is a magnificent course - challenging yet fair, and beautifully maintained. It was a great venue for a championship of this stature. The European Team Championship was
superbly organized, with a high level of competition and sportsmanship. Watching some of the best players in action was a learning experience in itself. We took back so much from the way we plan to build courses in India.
How pleased were you with the FIPPA meeting and Indian Pitch and Putt Association’s election as an associate member of FIPPA?
I was absolutely delighted with the outcome of the FIPPA meeting. The election of theIndian Pitch and Putt Association as an associate member of FIPPA is a major milestone for us. It signifies global recognition of our efforts to grow the sport in India and opens the door for deeper collaboration and participation in international events.
You have great plans for expansion of our sport in India. Tell us about that and your plans for an international open in November 2026?
We are laying the foundation for a structured and sustainable ecosystem for pitch and putt in India, starting with regional leagues, youth development programs, and club partnerships. The International Open planned for November 2026 will be a flagship event. We aim to host players from across the world, combining world-class competition with a celebration of Indian hospitality and culture. It will be the first event of its kind in South Asia and a major step in putting India on the global pitch and putt map.
You also mentioned the possibility of an Asian Team Championship. What format do you see that taking?
Yes, we are exploring the idea of launching an Asian Team Championship, which would bring together emerging Pitch and Putt nations in the region. The format we’re considering includes both Strokeplay and Match play over three days, encouraging both individual excellence and team strategy. It would be an ideal platform to raise the profile of the sport in Asia.
During your visit to Dublin, you had a productive meeting with the Indian Ambassador toIreland?
Indeed, the meeting with Ambassador His Excellency Akhilesh Mishra was very productive. He was highly supportive of our efforts to promote pitch and putt internationally and expressed interest in strengthening cultural and sporting ties between India and Ireland. His encouragement and insights were invaluable, and we look forward to involving the Indian diaspora and diplomatic channels in our future initiatives.
