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Getting on the green is no longer adults' play. Younger boys are doing exceedingly well
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Far from the madding crowd, a select group of ten boys are going through a rigorous training schedule at the Hyderabad Golf Club course on the premises of the historic Golconda Fort. For these boys, who have had the feel of the six-hole course for about a year now, it is time to test their skills and their knowledge gained under the training of G.S. Krishnan, chief instructor at the course.
Most of them are in the age group of 10 to 18 years and they are ready to step into the world of competitive golf. Come next week, they will participate in invitational events in Ooty and later Eagleton. And, for the record, in the next six months, about 10 events will be held in South India.
Apparently pleased with their talent and determination, Krishnan conducted an exclusive camp for these boys who include Arjun, Viraat, Manu, Gopalkrisnan, Anurag Keshav, Suraj, Jairam, Rohan Reddy. The daily schedule starts off with a 15-minute physical conditioning, then using the driving range for 45 minutes before going onto the six-hole course.
"This will ensure that they get the feel of the whole length of a course which should be handy when they go out to compete," says Krishnan. With Fusion Technologies chipping in by providing T-shirts and caps for all these players as an incentive, the interest was doubled. Manu, a fifth standard student of Meridian School, stands out for his diminutive stature. But he thinks big. "I dream of being a champion one day," he says confidently.
In view of the two events ahead and to sustain interest during training, these boys are engaged in short-games. The chief instructor keeps a tab on the `weekly ladder', which portrays what the scoreline of each golfer is over the week. "This will help me in taking corrective steps by paying individual attention," Krishnan says. The only worry is that these boys may not have the same time as they are spending now - about six hours daily - when the schools re-open. "For that also we are planning an intensive week-end training schedule to ensure continuity," the chief instructor says. In between the camp, they will also be sent to the 18-hole course in Bolarum for further training.
If Manu's favourite is Tiger Woods, Viraat defers to say that Vijay Singh is a better golfer. This indicates that they do watch a lot of golf on television and update themselves on the sport.
"There is plenty of talent. All our efforts are to channelise and mould them into performing individuals," says a confident Krishnan, who even hired a yoga teacher, Chandrakanth, to keep his wards in the right frame of mind.
Are we going to see a golf champion from the City very soon? Only time will tell.
V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM
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