Friday September 12, 2025 03:25 pm

From inception to inspiration

The journey of Airforce Golf Link (AFGL)

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🕐 2025-07-16 02:03:46

The journey of Airforce Golf Link (AFGL)

Rabb Majumder

Editor and Publisher of The Security World.



The origins of Air Force Golf Link (AFGL) and its mission  Golf has a long history of bridging class and professional divides and is frequently seen as a sport of elegance and prestige.  Golf is played on a number of upscale courses in Bangladesh, including the Kurmitola Golf Club, Army Golf Club, and Jolshiri Golf Club. Because of its opulence and exorbitant membership fees, many golfers cannot afford to play the game.  But in the midst of these prestigious clubs, a new era was about to begin—one that would democratise golf and make it more widely available.

Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, BBP, OSP, GUP, nswc, psc, Chief Patron of AFGL

According to Wing Commander Mohammad Abu Sadek psc this vision came to life in 2013 when the concept of creating a golf course on the Bangladesh Air Force Base Kurmitola was first proposed. Air Vice Marshal Ehsanul Gani Choudhury, a visionary leader dedicated to encouraging sports and healthy recreation among the forces and the community, spearheaded the project.  From Lowly Origins to a New Age  With just four greens, mostly used for practice, the voyage began simply.  The Air Force Golf Link (AFGL) was established because to the hard work of Air Cdre Md Shaharul Huda and his crew, despite the inadequate infrastructure. Regretfully, the course became inactive after a few years and remained dormant for a while. However, there was a spirit of regeneration.  


 Architect and presently CEO of AFGL Wing Commander Mohammad Abu Sadek psc provides an overview of the Golf Course’s Development Prospects and Strategic Plans.

A fresh interest led to the restart of AFGL in February 2024.  Under the direction of Air Vice Marshal Md Badrul Amin and with assistance from the base's administrative, maintenance, and support teams, the course was revived.  On May 3, 2024, the course's resuming ceremony took place after much preparation and effort, and the Chief of Air Staff himself officially opened the facility, signifying a revived dedication to sports and leisure.  Creating a Special Golfing Experience  Wing Commander Mohammad Abu Sadek psc was the driving force behind the course's design, transforming AFGL into a stunning and difficult nine-hole golf course.  The course, which has a total par of 36, has imaginatively constructed bunkers, tees, lakes, ponds, greens, and tree plantations that are all carefully intended to optimise both playability and visual appeal.  AFGL's creative design concerns for accessibility and safety are among its most notable aspects.  Special consideration was made during planning to make sure that golf balls wouldn't obstruct the college campus, surrounding roads, or taxi tracks.  To guarantee flight safety, large open spaces were kept surrounding aircraft routes and air movement zones. In the future, protective nets will be erected close to the institution to protect students.  


A Sporting and Visual Pleasure  With eight distinctively shaped greens that resemble aeroplanes and propellers, AFGL combines the exhilaration of golf with the thrill of flying.  Along with two beautiful lakes and numerous ponds, the course also has difficult bunkers, both sandy and grassy, which enhances the game's beauty and difficulty.  On the northern side of the base's PT field, a special driving range has been set up for golfers who are keen to practise.  Modern fencing will be erected around it in the future to provide safety, particularly for the surrounding educational institutions.  This range offers a tranquil setting for improving golf skills because it is surrounded by beautiful woods and flowering flora.  A Verdant Sanctuary with Unique Elements  Along the course, more than 500 trees, representing 42 different types of fruits and flowers, have been planted, adding to its natural beauty and offering peace and shade.  


The two parallel island greens in AFGL are its main feature; they provide golfers with an intriguing challenge in addition to being aesthetically pleasing.  AFGL's close proximity to airport operations may be its most distinctive feature.  The excitement of "putting beside the aircraft"—a genuinely remarkable golfing experience—is made available for players by the placement of some greens and portions of the course directly next to taxiing aircraft, takeoff, and landing zones.  



Facilities and Upcoming Projects  A state-of-the-art Club House is being built to transform AFGL into a comprehensive leisure centre.  With features including banquet halls, restaurants, a swimming pool, a gym, a sauna, a Jacuzzi, a pro shop, and a barbershop, this facility will serve diplomats, foreigners, and civil businessmen, fostering the ideal fusion of socialising, sport, and relaxation.  In the future, AFGL hopes to develop into a thriving hub for golfers of all backgrounds, encouraging sportsmanship and stronger ties between the military and the civilian world.  Every game is a different experience because of its ideal location next to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, which allows golfers to take in picturesque views of runway activity.  Additionally, there are plans to open night golf courses so that fans can play outside.  


A New Era in the Golf Scene in Bangladesh  An important turning point in Bangladesh's athletic history was reached with the establishment of the AFGL.  It is intended to serve as a symbol of harmony, advancement, and contemporary leisure culture in addition to being a golf course.  AFGL, where golf, aviation, and hospitality all come together amid Kurmitola's magnificent landscapes, is poised to become a beloved icon as it opens to everyone.