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Sharmila Nicollet first represented India at the 2006 Doha Asian Games and then a year, became the youngest Indian golfer to win the All-India Ladies Amateur Championship in 2007–2008.
In 2009, she turned to pro and since has won 11 tournaments.
Sportskeeda caught up with the Bengaluru-born golfer and asked her about the developmemt of women’s golf, transition from amateur to pro and more.
Excerpts:
Q: A few years ago, women’s golf wasn’t even on the radar, now we have big professional tournaments taking place in India. How much do you think it has grown?
A: So from when I first turned pro,how far they have come right now.In terms of players getting better to scoring getting better, under par scores as winning scores. Girls like Aditi Ashok and the rest playing overseas. So it’s nice and it changes the perception of Indian golf when the girls are performing abroad. So it’s doing great and the Indian Open has always been a tournament we have had which is one of the biggest events of the year and so for that to come down, it gives us a chance to showcase our talent and rub shoulders with the best players.
Q: Your form as compared to 2012 has dipped a bit, if I may add. Can you attribute any specific reasons for that?
A: No, I think I have been unlucky with my injuries and being away from the sport for a few more months and coming back is always going to get inconsistent.
So next year I am going to work to ensure its an injury-free year and I think that’s the goal, You are going to have ups and downs in any sport and I am hoping that 2016 will be a better year for me.
Q: At the age of 18, you went from amateur to pro. How hard was that transition?
A: For me it wasn’t so hard since I was playing really well and was on my peak form. I was dominating in the Amateur circuit and I was already in form and when I went on Pro tour, I dominated there also, won 12 tournaments. So it was more of a mindset thing, more responsibility on your shoulders.
Q: Anirban Lahiri has been doing really well for India. How big an impact do you think he has had on the younger generation?
A: It has. He is an inspiration for me as well. He is finishing in the Top-10 everywhere and maintaining good levels of consistency everywhere. We have all grown up playing golf with him and to see him there is very inspiring for all of us. So I really hope he wins a PGA Tour event soon enough and I hope we all get there soon.
Q: In the US, there are community courses in India. You think that should be implemented in India?
A: No I think they should support more golfers coming in because most of the course in India actually all of them are private courses ,so it isn’t easily accessible to a normal person as the membership itself is very expensive, let alone the equipment and the coaching. So I think we should encourage the youngsters who want to pursue the game.
Q: Finally, Your thoughts on Aditi Ashok, who seems to be following your footsteps.
A: She is playing really well, performing well in tournaments abroad. She is very talented and has a good head on her shoulders and she is doing India very proud, we are all proud of her. Everyone has their time and I believe my best is yet to come.
