Article by Ashwin Krishnan

With Nitika Jadeja, it's simple. Sport runs in her genes. Years ago, when still in her pre-teens, Nitika addressed a golf ball for the first ever time . . . and sent it soaring air, in the exact direction of the target. Nobody who witnessed that shot, could have ever imagined that this was the first ever attempt by the young girl, but it was. Prahlad Singh Jadeja, a former Ranji Trophy cricketer himself instantly spotted the talent in his daughter. The rest is history.

While it is always easy to hit bucket after bucket of balls at the driving range, playing a round of golf is a different ball game altogether. Nitika's first ever golf tournament was a club event at her home course, the Rambagh palace Golf Club in Jaipur. Playing off an allocate handicap of 24, the youngster shot a 91, which was a pretty decent effort. Nitika actually won in the 'Ladies Category' at the Jaipur Air India Golf Tournament. This was way back in 2001 and that year, she also essayed a runner-up finish at the Mayur Invitational Golf Tournament also in Jaipur.

By 2002, Nitika had started playing the National Circuit. Her first National tournament, the Punjab Open, was played at the Chandigarh Golf Club course, which till date remains her favourite golf course. Nitika won the sub-junior 'Best Nett' category. This was followed by a win at the DT challenge trophy at the all India Ladies Tournament, in Mumbai and a fourth place finish in the Junior category at the East India Ladies Championship in Kolkata.

In 2003, Nitika was selected to represent Rajasthan in swimming but by that time, golf was first priority and her golfing commitments prevented her from adding yet another feather to her cap. However, that year she did well enough on the golfing circuit with two runner-up finishes at the SIEL trophy in Delhi and the BURDWAN Cup in Kolkata.

In 2004, Nitika played many more tournaments and the result was encouraging. The highlight of her season was the win at the Airtel Challenge Trophy on her home course in Jaipur. A string of other impressive performances and top-ten finishes resulted in her being presented the 'Most Promising Golfer of Rajasthan' award by none other than Vasundhara Raje, then Chief Minister of Rajasthan at the Hindustan Times Independence Cup prize distribution ceremony.

Nitika did one better the following year, winning the 'Best Lady Golfer of Rajasthan' award, by the Chief Minister during the same tournament. That year, she triumphed in the Best Nett, Best Gross and Best Nett overall divisions in the Junior category at the Rasoi Cup in the East India Ladies Golf Championship in Kolkata. There was also a third place finish at the VST All India Junior Trophy in Kolkata, a fifth place finish in the Junior category at the Northern India Ladies Championship and a seventh place effort at the East India Ladies Golf Championship, Kolkata.

Year 2006 proved to be Nitika's last as an amateur. That season, she triumphed at the Malaysian Golf Tournament and registered a win at the Expact Cup, both in the Capital. In addition she had a third place finish at the Punjab All India Golf Championship and stood fifth in the Ladies Northern India Golf Championship in Delhi.

Indian women's golf experienced a revolutions of sorts in 2006, with a professional women's golf tour being incorporated for the first ever time. With sufficient experience under her belt, Nitika was tempted to take the plunge into professional golf. Not one to mull over decisions for long, the youngster took probably the most important the decision of her life till that point. Nitika Jadeja turned professional in year 2007.

Nitika missed on the DLF Women's Indian Open 2008 as the event coincided with her exams. However she is very much in contention this year and looks like she will leave a strong impact.

Years ago, when still an amateur, Nitika was competing at the DT Challenge Trophy, at the All India Ladies Amateur event at Mumbai. Here, competing with good friend Kanika Minocha, Nitika's ball got wedged between two trees. It was a near impossible situation but Nitika pulled out a 7-iron and pulled off what she calls the best shot of her life thus far. Needless to say she won the tournament. This is the stuff Nitika Jadeja is made of.

Golf course (Indian):	Chandigarh
Golf course (overseas):	Portugal , sorry don't remember the name
Favourite golfer (Indian):	My dad or Jeev Milka Singh for having one of the strongest minds for golf
Favourite golfer (overseas):	Ben Hogan, Anthony Kim
Best round ever:	72- Chandigarh
Dream golfing four-ball (three names including yours):	Anthony Kim, Julie Inkster, dad and me
Favourite sport other than golf:	Swimming for sure
Favourite sportsman/woman other than golf:	Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi
If I was given another shot at life, I would choose to become:	Tiger Woods, I love golf and then might as well be the No-1