Bangalore: Ashok Kumar Meda, an inspiration to everyone and Chairman and Managing Director of India’s first private golf course - Eagleton The Golf Resort, passed away peacefully in Mont Blanc, France on Saturday, 15th June. He was 68.
Mr Kumar’s incomparable imagination and fiery passion made him one of the most significant figures in real estate when golf in India was in a nascent stage. His vision and pride gave shape to one of India’s top rated 500 acre Golf Resort in Bangalore and under his able leadership Eagleton became one of the best championship golf facilities with a 168 acre, 18 hole championship golf course and golf academy, a world class club house with a 132 room hotel and most sought over residential enclave in Bangalore.
"My father was one of the most enterprising entrepreneurs of his era. His creativity and inventiveness may never be surpassed. He is remembered by many as a simple man with a brilliant vision and a man who faced all the adversities in setting up India’s first private golf resort with a big smile. His death came much too soon," said the bereaving son Chetan Meda, who is also the Director of Eagleton The Golf Resort.
India’s leading professional golfer Anirban Lahiri, who learnt much of his golf at Eagleton, said: "This is such a very sad day for all who have played golf at Eagleton. In Mr Kumar we have lost a true visionary and supporter of golf."
"Mr Kumar’s unique legacy must be the inspiration he has given to so many to support and play golf. We have all been so fortunate to have learnt golf at Eagleton under his guidance,” said Chikkarangappa.
Chikkarangappa, who began his career as a ball boy about 12 years ago at Eagleton, had risen to the top of the amateur circuit winning almost all the junior and amateur titles that came his way before taking the plunge into the professional circuit this year.
Eagleton, under Mr Kumar’s leadership, went on to organise hundreds of national, international golf events including the first ever Ladies European Tour in India and 31st Asia Pacific Junior Golf Championship among numerous other professional, amateur and junior events. Mr.Ashok Kumar is fondly remembered by the staff, 4000 members of Eagleton as a hardworking leader and a passionate golfer.
Silver Oak Resort on Doddaballapur road was another successful project by Mr Ashok Kumar just before he crafted the blockbuster success story of Eagleton.
Mr Ashok Kumar completed his engineering from REC Suratkal and an MBA from Ford school of Management, USA. He received various awards of excellence nationally and internationally in fields like engineering, leadership and social services in a distinguished professional career spanning more than 30 years.
M. Ashok Kumar – was the man at the helm of affairs of Eagleburg Golf Resort, Mysore which is an upcoming world class golf destination in India.
He joined Lions Club International in the year 1970 in Andhra Pradesh (Kurnool) and took over the Treasury in the very first year and then as the Secretary. Later he adorned the position of Deputy District Governor in the year 1988-89 and was elected as District Governor in the year 1991-92 for the Lions District 324D3.
He broke the world record by arranging 1006 eye operations in a span of five months during 1987-88. As a visionary and an able leader, he has built strong a organisation that will carry forward his vision even in his absence.
