Ootacamund Club

The Club came into being in October 1841, founded by Captain Douglas with seven other officers of the Madras and Bombay armies; Lt. Col. C. D. Dun was its first President. It was incorporated as a company in 1889, gained new chambers in 1898, and added an annexe for women in 1904.

Its place in sporting history was sealed in 1875, when a young officer, Sir Neville Chamberlain, devised the rules of snooker in the Club's billiards room — combining black pool and pyramids into a new game. The original period table is still in use.

The ballroom and public rooms are hung with well-preserved trophies — tiger, leopard, bison, bear and sambar — donated by members across more than 180 years.

Membership has always been by introduction, and the 'Ooty Club culture' is shaped by long-standing rules on conduct, dress and discipline. Today the Club has around 900 members drawn from across India.

Guests may be entertained in the public rooms on the responsibility of their member host, and a smart-casual dress code applies throughout — collarless shirts, shorts, torn jeans, track pants and chappals are not permitted in the public rooms.