August 4th 2015, New Delhi, India: India’s boy wonder Shubham Jaglan touched down in New Delhi after a successful sojourn of Scotland & USA where he won two prestigious titles at the IMG Academy Junior World Championships in San Diego followed by the World Stars of Junior Golf in Las Vegas.
In the Junior World Championships played at the majestic Welk Resort – Fountains Course, Shubham shot a three-day total of seven-under par 179 to complete a one stroke victory over Jeffrey Yu Guan of Australia. He shot as many as thirteen birdies over the week which, even though wasn’t the most, demonstrated a consistent game with amazing control over his emotions under pressure.
He wasn’t to be satisfied with a single victory and teed off at the TPC Las Vegas Angel Park, Mountain course for the World Stars of Junior Golf Tournament the following week. His three round total of two-under 106 was enough to wrap up the title by a commanding five strokes. His second round total of four under par 32 virtually sealed his victory as he recovered from being four strokes behind at the start of the day to being three strokes in front of the field by the end of it.
Commenting on his victories Shubham said, “I am absolutely delighted to have won these two prestigious events. I had missed out last year by finishing second, which made me more determined to get better and win this year. The first victory gave me real confidence to go out win another one. I’m now even more hungry to go out and win more events and better my own self with every passing week.”
The son of a milkman from rural Haryana, Shubham was taken under the wings of the Golf Foundation pioneered by Arjuna Awardee and Asian Games Gold Medalist, Amit Luthra. The Golf Foundation saw his potential and gave him unconditional support and he is reasserting their faith with his Global domination.
Shubham with a sense of gratitude added, “All the credit goes to my family, Delhi Golf Club for giving me facilities to play and practice, The Golf Foundation for giving me everything that I needed and the most important is my coach Nonita Lall Qureshi who pushed my game and mind to this level. It means a lot to my dad especially, who was with me 24/7 and worked harder than I did, and me. Last but not at all the least, Amit Luthra sir who has giving me all the support.”
Shubham has won over 130 tournaments and counting in India and abroad over the past four years under the tutelage of his coach Nonita Lall Qureshi. Nonita, who is one of the top most coaches of the country says, “Shubham is a wonderful kid to coach as he works harder than what I expect of him. He has a steady head on his shoulders and all I need to ask him is to stay focused on his goals and the results will follow.”
“Post culmination of the European Juniors, when I enquired how he had fared, he in a sorrowing voice said he had lost. Only later did I learn that he had finished 2nd amongst the world's best & that too braving 30 miles per hour wind, rain & cold (to which he had no experience). It is this attitude that made him a Junior World Champ” said Amit Luthra, Founder CEO, The Golf Foundation, who pioneered the efforts of giving the young and underprivileged kids an equal footing to succeed. He added, “‘Go for broke’, ’There are no marks for finishing 2nd‘ are his mottos. You have to be bold to get the Gold.”
Anil Malhotra, Chairman, The Golf Foundation, remarking on the phenomenal twin victories believes, “It gives us great satisfaction at The Golf Foundation to see one of our talents shine and make it on the world stage. What Shubham has done so far, and I really believe this is just the start for him, is truly remarkable as it is not easy to be away from home for long periods competing in such events and winning two of them back to back.”
Also noting on the occasion was Jaydeep Chitlangia, President of The Indian Golf Union, to which TGF is affiliated, “The performance of Shubham is extremely astonishing and amazing. He comes from a completely different background, and it’s his natural ability to play, which has been harnessed by Amit Luthra of Golf Foundation and his coach Nonita Lal Qureshi. My heartiest congratulations to Amit Luthra and Nonita on an extremely brilliant find.” He added, “I do hope this success of Shubham will inspire more youngsters to take to the game, and will also lead in finding the support from various quarters to ensure the growth of the game.”
The Golf Foundation made a humble beginning in 1990 & was formalised as a Charitable Society in the year 2000 has produced champions like Ashok Kumar and Rashid Khan apart from supporting many other talented golfers like Chikkarangappa, Honey Baisoya, Harender Gupta and Manu Gandas amongst others.
Earlier this year, it launched a nationwide Talent Search for Excellence in Golf to identify and nurture the realm’s top junior golfing talent. Top talent has been been identified from the North, East and West Zone while the TGF SRF South Zone Talent Search is ongoing at the Prestige Golfshire in Bengaluru.
The Golf Foundation has found a great backer in The Gary Player Foundation with many of the Ladies European Tour players like Laura Davies, Lee-Anne Pace, Christy Kim and Simi Mehra also committing to give their mite. A plethora of celebrities from cine stars like Aamir Khan, Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff to cricketers like Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Aamir Khan and Olympic Silver Medallist shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore have graced the various events held by The Golf Foundation and pledged their support.
