The approval of the 18-hole expansion plan for Jolshiri Golf Club is more than a milestone for golf. It is a landmark decision for urban planning, environmental preservation and the future identity of Bangladesh’s fastest-growing eastern corridor.
Following the closing ceremony of the CAS Cup Professional Golf Tournament 2026, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, SBP, OSP, SGP, psc, Chief of Army Staff and President of the Bangladesh Golf Federation (BGF), formally approved the long-awaited expansion proposal after receiving a comprehensive briefing from the development committee.
For Bangladesh’s golfing community, it was a moment years in the making.
For Jolshiri Abashon, it may prove to be one of the most important development decisions in its history.
Restoring the Original Vision
The idea of an 18-hole golf course at Jolshiri is not new.
When the project was initially conceived in 2010, planners envisioned a full-scale championship facility. However, due to land constraints and development priorities, the project ultimately opened as a nine-hole course in 2018.
The newly approved adjustment plan within the broader Jolshiri Abashon development framework now creates the opportunity to restore the original concept.
The expansion layout was prepared by a committee led by Major General Md Hasan Uz Zaman, Engineer-in-Chief and President and Chairman of Jolshiri Abashon. The original master layout was designed by renowned Canadian golf course architect Paul Jansen, while local experts Brigadier General Salim Akther contributed significantly.
Their work has now laid the foundation for what could become one of Bangladesh’s premier championship golf venues.
“The golfing community owes sincere appreciation to General Waker-Uz-Zaman for taking the decisive step that transformed years of discussion into reality”.
A New Era for Bangladesh Golf
The significance of an 18-hole championship course extends far beyond adding nine additional holes.
International golf operates on 18-hole championship layouts. Major professional tournaments, elite amateur championships, corporate Pro-Am events and international competitions all require facilities capable of meeting global standards.
For years, Kurmitola Golf Club has been the country’s principal championship venue. The emergence of Jolshiri Golf Club as another full-scale championship facility would significantly strengthen Bangladesh’s golfing infrastructure.
The expansion will create opportunities for more professional tournaments, higher-quality national championships, junior development programmes and potentially international events in the future.
Bangladesh has already demonstrated its ability to produce world-class golfers. What the country now needs is more world-class infrastructure.
The Jolshiri expansion moves Bangladesh closer to that goal.
“An 18-hole Jolshiri Golf Club will elevate Bangladesh’s golfing profile while preserving one of the largest green corridors in Dhaka’s eastern expansion zone.”
Enhancing Bangladesh’s International Image
Modern golf facilities are increasingly viewed as strategic national assets.
Across Asia and the Middle East, championship golf courses have become symbols of quality infrastructure, attracting international visitors, corporate investment and sporting tourism.
An internationally recognised 18-hole championship course at Jolshiri would strengthen Bangladesh’s image as a destination capable of hosting premium sporting and business events.
For foreign investors, expatriates and multinational corporations evaluating opportunities in Bangladesh, such facilities contribute positively to perceptions of quality of life, business environment and long-term development planning.
Golf today is no longer simply a recreational activity. It has become closely connected with tourism, hospitality, corporate networking and international engagement.
An expanded Jolshiri Golf Club would reinforce Bangladesh’s position within that global ecosystem.
“The additional nine holes are not just for golfers; they are for the thousands of families who will one day call Jolshiri home.”
More Than Golf: Protecting Green Space for Future Generations
Perhaps the most overlooked benefit of the expansion is its environmental value.
The additional nine holes are not simply for golfers.
They are for the thousands of families who will live in Jolshiri Abashon over the coming decades.
With more than 6,000 plots owners expected to reside within the development, demand for open spaces, greenery and recreational environments will become increasingly important.
As cities grow, green space often becomes the first casualty of rapid urbanisation.
The approved expansion effectively secures a substantial green corridor within Jolshiri Abashon, preserving open land that might otherwise be lost to future construction.
In a city where green spaces continue to shrink, an expanded golf course will function as a permanent environmental asset.
The course will help maintain biodiversity, improve air quality, support groundwater recharge, reduce heat-island effects and provide a healthier microclimate for surrounding neighbourhoods.
Globally, championship golf courses are increasingly recognised as urban green lungs.
For future residents of Jolshiri, the course will offer more than a place to play golf. It will provide scenic views, visual openness and a meaningful connection with nature.
The decision therefore represents not only an investment in sports infrastructure but also an investment in environmental sustainability and quality of life.
Economic Impact Beyond the Fairways
The benefits are likely to extend well beyond the golf course itself.
Around the world, premium golf facilities have consistently demonstrated their ability to increase property values, strengthen destination branding and attract long-term investment.
As Jolshiri Abashon evolves into a major residential and commercial centre, the presence of an internationally recognised championship golf course could significantly enhance its attractiveness.
While many factors influence property prices, global experience suggests that proximity to high-quality golf infrastructure often creates strong value appreciation over time.
The expansion may therefore contribute positively to the long-term market appeal of Jolshiri’s residential developments.
The course will also support hospitality businesses, restaurants, tourism activities, corporate events and other service industries that benefit from premium lifestyle infrastructure.
Leadership That Made It Possible
Major developments require leadership, vision and commitment.
The golfing community owes sincere appreciation to General Waker-Uz-Zaman for taking the decisive step that transformed years of discussion into reality.
His support for golf development has already been demonstrated through initiatives such as the CAS Cup Professional Golf Tournament and the planned expansion of golf academies across Bangladesh.
Significant credit is also due to Lieutenant General Mohammad Shaheenul Haque, Senior Vice President of the Bangladesh Golf Federation, whose leadership, coordination and continued support played an important role in advancing the proposal and ensuring momentum behind the project.
Behind the scenes, officials of Jolshiri Golf Club have worked tirelessly over several years to advocate for the expansion, prepare plans and engage relevant stakeholders.
Their dedication and persistence deserve recognition.
A Shared Achievement
The approval is also the culmination of years of advocacy by golfers, administrators, planners and supporters who believed that Jolshiri should eventually become a full championship venue.
Among those who consistently championed the vision of an 18-hole Jolshiri Golf Club were Major General Md Masud Razzaq (Retd.), Brigadier General Md Sayeed Siddiki (Retd.) and Brigadier General Abul Fazal Sanaullah (Retd.). Recognising the long-term value of a championship-standard facility, they remained strong advocates for the expansion through professional discussions, planning initiatives and engagement within the golfing community. Their support helped sustain momentum behind a project that is now poised to become one of the most significant developments in the history of Bangladesh golf.
For many within the golfing community, the announcement represents the fulfilment of a long-standing dream.
What once appeared to be an ambitious proposal has now become an official commitment.
“What was once a golfing dream has now become a strategic investment in sport, sustainability and the future of Jolshiri Abashon.”
Looking Ahead
The future 18-hole Jolshiri Golf Club will not merely be another golf course.
It will be a championship venue, a green sanctuary, an economic catalyst and a symbol of Bangladesh’s growing ambitions.
For golfers, residents, investors and future generations alike, the decision marks a defining moment.
The fairways that will emerge over the coming years will shape not only the future of Bangladesh golf but also the future character of one of the country’s most important new urban developments.
The dream of 18 holes has finally become reality.
Now begins the journey toward creating one of Bangladesh’s most important sporting and environmental assets.
The writer is a golfer and Editor of TheGolfHouse magazine–the only monthly golf magazine in Bangladesh that has been involved in promoting golf in the country and working to make it accessible to all since 2015.
