About me: I was born in Kerala but, was primarily brought up in Vadodara, Gujarat. I am currently based in Pune as I practise here, at Poona Golf club. I did my schooling at Don Bosco High school and completed my B COM from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara. Since my father was a sportsperson all his life, I was naturally going to be the same. I have played junior football Nationals for Gujarat and also played Cricket for Baroda In Under-15 and Under-19. I started playing golf when I was around 20 and since then it’s just been golf. I am very thankful to my family for their trust and support.
What inspired me to take Golf: More than inspiration, I would say it was sheer coincidence. It was my final year of college and I had taken a break from cricket. So my dad took membership at Gaekwad Baroda golf club and as I had nothing to do that year. I had considered learning a new sport so I took up golf and from there on it’s just been sort of an addiction to get better at it. Now it’s the only thing I love to do.
Why Golf and not any other sport: Actually I would have never imagined myself playing golf at a competitive level because I was very serious about playing cricket professionally and I was doing very well. As I said it was just sheer coincidence that I started this game and from there on it’s been a great journey. I just love how this game offers different challenges every day and I am grateful to my coach, Mr Aditya Kanitkar and my trainer, Mr Vinay Kadam for guiding me and nurturing me into the player I am today.
Golfing achievements: Tied 8th in IGU Samarvir Sahi Amateur Golf Championship held at Chandigarh.
Tied 9th in IGU Jharkhand Amateur Golf Championship Held at Jamshedpur.
Quarter-Finalist in IGU Eastern India Golf Championship.
Won the IGU National Qualifier 2 held at Bangalore.
Quarter-Finalist in 118th IGU ALL INDIA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP.
10th in India on the IGU Merit list.
Interesting/funny moment: It would definitely be the post-round sessions after any tournament when we are having lunch and discussing our rounds. There was one particular incident when a friend had described his round and where all he had hit his tee shots and still managed to save for par from there. Frankly we were all wondering if it would be even possible to hit a tee shot over there and the irony is that the next day, when we are playing the same holes we would try to find the spot where he would have hit his tee shot and be like how did he manage to find a shot from here.
What would u like to change about Golf: It would be really good to see the game’s popularity and awareness increase among the younger generation of our country. I know the general masses don’t consider golf as a sport as it does look a bit complicated and let’s be honest they think it’s a rich man's game.
And I agree it’s expensive to play this game but if the Golf clubs in various cities tie-up with schools and have regular golf clinics and create opportunities for these children to learn and enjoy the game, I’m sure the kids will love to pursue this game.
