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Junior golf on the upswing
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The IGU's junior and sub-junior circuit has honed the skills of young golfers
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IN FULL FLOW: Mastering the course at an early age
Indian golf has grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years.
Today, amateur-turned-professionals and caddie-turned-pros are making their mark at the international level. But, golfers from South India have not made it to the Indian Golf Union (IGU) Merit list in large numbers.
Realising this, the IGU embarked on a mission to encourage juniors by setting up the South Zone junior and sub-junior circuit in 2003 and the open championship a year later.
Today, it has become an active circuit in the southern region.
Encouraging response
"The idea is to expose the youngsters to competitive play. And it has borne good results. Last year, just 30 children took part. This year it has gone up two-fold," says Raian F. Irani, South Zone representative of the IGU junior committee.
He says the circuit will provide a platform for kids from the South to develop competitive skills and perform under pressure.
"It can also be a stepping stone for the national circuit (IGU-categorised tournaments)."
"For the first time, our juniors topped the Asia Pacific qualifiers and booked their berth for the World team event to be held in Japan in the last week of June. Does this not signify the growth in the level and quality of play?" queries Raian.
"Qualifying is by itself a great achievement. It's like Narain Karthikeyan booking a berth in F1," he adds.
"If things go the right way, the country will witness a lot of changes in the game's growth in the next three years. The IGU is concentrating on junior golf and is conducting camps for coaches. I am sure it will click as long as the IGU does not face a financial crunch."
Corporate support
"The IGU is getting the right kind of support from the Government, but that's not enough. It also needs corporate support. Corporate houses must come forward to encourage the young and talented," says Raian.
Citibank has come forward to sponsor the Coimbatore leg of the junior/sub-junior open championship for the next three years.
Says Raghuveer Sampath, Citibank Coimbatore's Branch Manager, "We feel the country needs new generation golfers and we are convinced that we have tapped the right segment. Our idea is to generate interest and involve children in learning the game. By sponsoring the junior circuit we are looking at both banking and sport promotions."
Raghuveer avers that teaming up banking and sports will instil confidence in the children at a very early age.
Besides the crystal rolling trophy and take-away trophies for various categories, Citibank will also give freebies to all participants of the Coimbatore circuit, scheduled to be held at the Coimbatore Golf Club course in Chettipalayam from May 17 to 20.
RAYAN ROZARIO
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