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FROM MY DIARY…
NOVEMBER 18
By Brandon de Souza
he past few weeks
I’ve let my mind
wander and think
about one living
the dream. Too
often in the Indian
sports context we
hear stories of why
someone couldn’t
make it instead of
how one made it despite the well known
institutional challenges!
Long time back the great champion
Leander Paes while having a casual chat
told me that there are enough ways where
one can ¿ nd his way to the top if one is
determined enough. Following good habits
is at the core of one’s progress and even
back in the day without the ease of access
to the gym, Lee would do enough free hand
exercises, use the park bench, meditate and
get into a yoga routine to keep himself ¿ t.
It is truly inspiring the number of years he
has spent at the top including seven Olympic
Games appearances.
Coming to my own rewarding journey
with Tvesa Malik, it has been a delight to
help her along the path she has chosen.
Despite coming from a family that may
not have had any great sporting lineage the
support she has received from them has been
truly incredible. Her sister Kasvi was also a
good golfer till she chose to go the corporate
route with global giant Nike.
She has put her head down and focused
on what’s important to her and what she is
– which is maximizing her gol¿ ng potential.
She knows she is not the tallest or the
longest hitter on tour but takes challenges
head on as there is an inherent belief that on
her day she can hold her own against even
an elite ¿ eld like the hero Women’s Indian
Open. The best placed Indian (tied with
Gaurika Bishnoi) at this year’s edition is
now headed for the Ladies European Tour
Q School later this year and is not afraid of
playing on demanding and diverse layouts.
She ranks Kalhaar Blues & Greens, Delhi
Golf Club, Prestige Golfshire as amongst
Tvesa Malik
her favorite courses and to qualify for LET,
she knows that she needs to get better from
80 yards in, drain more putts from within
ten feet and what’s more paramount is that
the kid is willing to put in the hours that are
necessary to make it happen.
I am sure Sharmila Nicollet and Neha
Tripathi put their best put forward even
though they couldn’t get their full LPGA
cards and do hope they get there sooner
rather than later. They have the required
mindset to achieve something special.
Newly turned pro Kshitij Naved Kaul,
who I’ve had the pleasure of catching up
close going through his drills at Boulder
Hills Golf & Country Club is the real deal.
With the experience he’s had over the past
few years as an amateur playing around the
world, it should hold him in good stead.
A fantastic T6 ¿ nish at his ¿ rst event –
Panasonic Open at Delhi Golf Club is a sign
if things to come. Another talent to watch
GolfPlus
out for in the pro ranks is Aadil Bedi who
has such a steady head on his shoulders
being backed by Virat Kohli Foundation.
The Indian cricket skipper’s work ethic
is what I suggest emulating to whomsoever
I talk to as I truly believe he is a real life
champion. The way he carries himself on
and off the cricket ¿ eld especially taking
care of himself and more often than not the
team when required – I have nothing short of
admiration for him!
And ¿ nally, really pleased to see Jeev
¿ nding his mojo back and showing À ashes
of the ¿ re that burns in him at the Delhi
Golf Club, a week before he hosts his event
on the PGTI. Big congratulations to Khalin
Joshi for his gutsy win with a back nine to
remember. Solid performance for a maiden
Asian Tour victory.
Have a great Diwali and please stay
safe. Let the fireworks be limited to the
Golf Course !
NOVEMBER
2018
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