Want to share article on Ashok Kumar ... Firstly thinking of starting new thread but then thought it would be too early to start Ashok Kumar's own thread ... So instead starting this new thread for all Indian/ Indian origin golfers other than Jeev, Jyoti, Daniel, Shiv and Vijay ... So please put here any new news on them when u guys find it.
Nice article on Ashok Kumar on DNA by Abhishek Roy.
"My love for golf started there and I used to play a bit when no one was around. After all we were caddies and we were not allowed to play," recalled Ashok, who has never been to school.
Can you believe it - a golfer who has never been to school? So is this the changing face of golf in India?
It was under Arjuna Awardee Amit Luthra that Ashok discovered himself and he is still grateful to the veteran golfer for all his achievements.
"I used to be his caddie earlier and till date he has been my biggest support. I wouldn't have achieved what I have if he were not behind me," said Ashok, who has had earnings of Rs.4 million in the 2006-07 season.
For Ashok, who idolises legendary American golfer Tiger Woods, qualifying for the Asian Tour this year will be a challenge.
"Last year I missed the qualifying score by two shots. This year I will give my best and hopefully qualify for it," he said.
Jaydeep, thats a good idead to start a general thread for other golfers who don't have their named thread. If Ashok is determined, he should be in Asian tour soon. Good luck for him.
Last season, it looked like SSP would be the next Indian to move to bigger tours such as the European Tour. However, that has not happened. It is nice to see him take the setbacks (of the current season) and keep the target of securing his card for next year in focus.
Indian amateur golfer Joseph J. Chakola is turning professional golfer from the Hero Honda Indian Open at the Delhi Golf Club on Thursday ... Wishing a good luck to him.
Here is a recent articleby Shiv Kapur where he talks about himself and Indian golf.
Here is his quote about young talents, the future hope of India
At every level of the game there has been a vast improvement. The scores that 12 and 13-year-old kids shoot in tournaments these days were not even heard of as recently as a decade ago. The sport is definitely getting younger in India, as it is in the rest of the world. Turning pro at an early age has become something of a fashion these days but can often be a deterrent, because golf requires a high level of maturity not only on the course but also off it, in terms of getting to grips with a lifestyle that involves a lot of time spent away from home.
Having said that, there are a handful of guys who I think have the potential to make it big over the next few years, namely Anirban Lahiri, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Himmat Singh Rai, Ajeetesh Sandhu and Rashid Khan, to mention a few. They have already shown great promise in their short careers, and you can expect good things from them in the future.
Indian golf is certainly headed in the right direction. The older guys are paying more attention to their fitness, and they'll be around for a few more years yet. With all the playing opportunities they have, the younger guys are learning quickly. So it's safe to say that the future of Indian golf is bright. It is already one of the fastest growing sports in the country and with the domestic tour getting stronger, I'm sure we will have at least a handful of Indian pros playing on the PGA Tour in a decade from now.
Rashid was initially planning to turn pro after the Asian Games in 2010 but now he is considering turning pro early next year. The reason- He has won five tournaments and finished second in six of the last seven tournaments he has played on the amateur circuit. The only one where he did have a disappointing finish, was at the All-India Amateur, played on matchplay format, where he lost to another very talented kid Ashbeer Saini on the third playoff hole in the second round.
He has won by an average margin of six shots and almost won a tournament in Jaipur on the PGTI tour. A lot will depend on how he plays the next two weeks, with two back-to-back tournaments lined up on the amateur tour, starting today in Bangalore. If he wins comfortably once again, I will not be surprised if he sets his mind on turning pro sooner rather than later
C. Muniyappa won a deserving Asian Tour Rookie of the Year title ... He finished this season in 10th place on the Order of Merit with US$223,269 through one win and three other top-25s.
Yes, Viraat Badhwar won in Boys 13-14 yrs old category ... Viraat produced excellent 4 under last third round to win by a stroke with 8 under ... American Rico Hoey tried to catch him with 6 under, the best round of tournament , but missed by a stroke to catch Viraat.
Shubham Jaglan, the 10-year-old son of a milkman from Haryana has won the IJGA World Stars of Junior Golf crown in Las Vegas, winning by a five-stroke margin.
Last week, he had clinched the IMG Academy Junior World Championship for the 9-10 age category in San Diego.