Besides event management in golf, managing Milkha Singh ji and some other innovative sports related activities, I have started a Junior programme along with the BPGC in Mumbai, with a long term view of producing Champions from Mumbai and helping seed a vibrant golf culture amongst the juniors there.
What inspired me to take Golf – "I’ve been playing since I was 11 yrs old and this was thanks to my father, a passionate golfer and a good player. He introduced me to the game and I learnt a lot by watching him."
Favourite Player – "Jack Nicklaus. And Tiger Woods too. It was quite a treat to watch him play from close quarters when he came to Delhi."
Dream Golf Moment – "My first Indian Team visit to Sri Lanka when I won the Sri Lankan National Amateur Championships."
Highest form of Sportsmanship Experienced: "During the same trip, Taimur Hassan, the Captain of the Pakistan Team encouraged me after my match with him and told me that I deserved to win the Tournament. I had played some exceptional golf to beat him narrowly. I won the tournament thanks to his words and to hear them from him, after our match was quite incredible."
Worst Moment in golf: "After winning the National Games, the Sri Lanka Amateur and the first Asian Games Camp Trials, all leading to the Asian Games, I was not selected in the team. It was selection process at its best. Perhaps the worst I have felt inspite of being deserving."
Nervous Moment: "When I was invited to speak on the Indian Golf League at the Yale School of Management Golf Summit. Initially I did feel a bit intimidated with all the big names there, but soon got over it."
Favourite Golf Course – "The Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar – It is a real visual treat. The Bandon Dunes Resort in the US which has 4 incredible courses is a treat as well."
A tribute to: "Late Justice ML Dudhat in Mumbai. He introduced me to “Brahmavidya” classes and it was an eye opener. The power of the mind is a reality."
If I could change one thing about golf: "We have created a concept which we will be launching soon. Many things have been changed and the question will get answered then. Look out for it."
Interesting nuggets: "I was a terrible speaker and actually took a public speaking class to learn how to speak. It was a 360 degree shift. And I actually anchored a book launch recently. It was a book on Baba Iqbal Singh of Baru Sahib and Hon’ble ex PM Mr. Manmohan Singh was the Chief Guest. Incidentally, the book was about a project on Value based Rural Education in India which everyone should support."
