Interviewed By: Dinesh C. Thakur

Editor: Radha Seth

 

From chasing squirrels to ballistically swinging the club at the greens,

Jahanvi Bakshi, the 18-year-old golfer has come a long way……

 

The ongoing situation may seem a little disheartening to all of us, thereby making us brood over the uncertainty of our future. While the country is going through a dark phase, young talents like Jahanvi are there to give us a ray of hope. Her nonpareil passion for the game has made her determined throughout her childhood years. With this kindling fire to set a benchmark in the women’s golf industry she turned into a professional golfer in 2019. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

          Winner of the Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour 2021- 5th Leg                           6th Leg of Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour 2021

 

 

Jahanvi’s tryst with golf has a unique and interesting story.

 

Just like every other parent, Jahanvi’s parents wanted her to be into sports. Her grandfather suggested making her play golf. Following which the whole family started hitting the golf course. Initially, Jahanvi didn’t even have an ounce of interest in holding a golf stick. She rather preferred to chase around the squirrels and play in the bunkers. A little did this little girl know that one day she is going to walk down the path of becoming the rising star of the Indian golf Industry. 

 

She has stated that “Initially, I never use to play golf, I just use to play in the sand and chase around the squirrels. But as I sat down and observed my parents play golf, it gradually piqued my interest and I actually started bucking up my game. Following which I consulted my instructor for charting out a well-aligned plan so that I could play at the tournaments. As years passed my passion for improving my game paved a way for me to become the no.1 amateur at the national level.”

 

The secret to her success is her will to take up this sport. She believes that imposing things on children won’t do any good to them. They will always end up doing what they actually want to do. 

 

 

"One of the greatest lessons that everyone needs to learn is, children don’t listen to you, they imitate you."

 

You can’t impose your desires on them, they would only fare well if they are actually interested in that thing. As a representative example, my parents never forced me to play golf. They had let me chase the squirrels and play in the sand because that’s what I wanted to do. Gradually as it piqued my interest, I decided to learn golf and hit the greens. Thus, I took it at my own will, Jahanvi Quoted

 

Exclusive Interview insights

 

One piece of advice that you would like to give to other parents out there who want their kid to be a future golfer?

 

One of the greatest lessons that everyone needs to learn is, ‘children don’t listen to you, they imitate you’. You can’t impose your desires on them, they would only fare well if they are actually interested in that thing. As a representative example, my parents never forced me to play golf. They had let me chase the squirrels and play in the sand because that’s what all I wanted to do. Gradually as it piqued my interest, I decided to learn golf and hit the greens. Thus, I took it at my own will. 

 

As a professional, where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

 

In the next 5 years, I wish to play at the LPGA. Thus, my ultimate goal is to enter the LPGA hall of fame. And, I really hope that everything goes well, as I am working towards this goal by charting out everything carefully. 

 

The Bakshi sisters Jahnavi (left) and Hitaashee have made a mark on the women’s pro tour with their recent displays. Image courtesy WGAI.

 

Since Honda LPGA is coming up, we would like to know from you that why aren’t there any Indian women golfers at the LPGA Tour?

 

Initially, it was a problem of recognition. Even I didn’t know about the existence of Wgai before, prior to a few years. Now that this current generation is prepping up for the major tournaments they are getting exposed to more and more opportunities.  So my generation and the generation coming up would have the advantage of being supported by platforms like wgai. So they are not at the LPGA now, but they will be there soon.

 

What would be your desire or wish for making the sport grow in the next few years?

 

In other countries like Europe, Thailand, and Canada, the sport is big, because of the recognition of this sport. But as far as India is concerned, the government has not given much importance to golf. Thus, I would definitely want this sport to get the Indian Government’s attention.