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Bouquets all the way
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After all the hard work it was time for Joseph Chakola to celebrate, writes Rayan Rozario
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GLORY BECKONS Chakola with Coimbatore Golf Club president K. Rajagopal (Below) Joseph Chakola
Joseph Chakola had to start from scratch and now he is a star to reckon with.
JJ, as he is lovingly called, began his golfing journey as a five-year-old at the home of his maternal grandfather, Janji Varugis in Kochi.
Today, the boy from Coimbatore is the number one golfer in the Indian National Amateur Order of Merit.
Proud of his achievement, the Coimbatore Golf Club (CGC) showered accolades on the young golfer at a function at the Coimbatore Club couple of days back.
JJ calls it the greatest moment he has ever had.
"I have had many such moments at the greens but this one is extra special. It's an honour and a humbling experience."
He says the journey has not been tough but long.
"I always believed that I could make it to the top because I had people to support me all through my career. I thank each one of them."
Acknowledging Dad
After running through a long list, he paused to express his gratitude to his father Jack Chakola.
"Dad, for a greater part of your life, you have set aside your interests for the sake of my career. You mean a lot to me," he said with tears rolling down his cheeks.
"This boy deserves a big pat on the back because he has done what many failed to do.
The celebration is to let him know how delighted we are," says K. Rajagopal, the CGC president.
Rajagopal must be a happy man as he had guided and helped JJ during the formative years.
JJ looks upon him as his mentor.
Proved his mettle
Raian F. Irani, Junior representative from the South, says that Joseph is the lone ranger who has done well from the South.
"He did not play too long to establish himself as an amateur golfer. There were many who doubted his calibre but he has proved them all wrong."
He says the junior circuit is looking good now.
"Thanks to JJ for changing the trend. The young ones will now look up to him with pride and see him as their role model."
He also had words of appreciation for JJ's parents.
"I know the kind of sacrifice they had done for the welfare of their son. It's not as easy as many think. I want other parents to emulate them."
There were others too who lauded his efforts and that set the tone for the party.
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