'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Golf in the country has recently shown so much promise amidst the cricket season which makes one wonder where we have positioned ourself in this field uptil now?
The recently held Indian Open Golf at the Delhi Golf Club was clinched by star golfer Anirban Lahiri. He defeated SSP Chowrasia who had a 2 stroke lead until 2 days ago. On the last day, Lahiri took charge when Chowrasia stumped at the 16th hole. They had however met at a tie. Lahiri had clinched the Malaysian Open title couple of weeks ago. He never ceases to surprise us and gives utmost credit to the meditation that he has been practising for the last 10 years. He says ” Meditating everyday exposes me to myself and being a golfer is just a by product”. Many star golfers will be seen at the Indian Open Golf Awards.
Where do we stand?
The golf sector is showing immense promise of late and the market is ripe. However, the infrastructural facilities are not up to the mark. The government can definitely look into this and provide better facilities. The spring season is definitely showing hope with talent like Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal, Jyoti Randhawa, Lahiri, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Shiv Kapur, SSP Chowrasia and Rashid Khan.
We must invent every possibility we can in this domain to develop and train more upcoming youngsters. Golf as a sport is not that much of a frenzy in the country with no major Indian brand pitching for ads or marketing in major events. For comoanies per se, this could be a start to position themselves in another domain and build up thereon. Lahiri with his recent victories has definitely made the country immensely proud and is in the same league as say Saina Nehwal or Thulasi /Kashyap. He must be roped in ads and promoted in a better way so that we remember him few years down the lane and not only as a “had won”.
However, our existing players need to work harder and be more consistent to compete in the US and European Opens and not just on the Asian tour. It’s time we move out of the cricket craziness and look at other avenues.
