GP Junior (Apr-May 18) Digital (Apr-May 18).indd | Page 7

Feature
the process, inspire people to come into
the sport. The idea is to generate a lot of
interest and engage with fans.”
The juniors were also given a brief history
of the tour, which was launched in 1978,
highlighting the 2016 season and the
Solheim Cup. Before enjoying access to
the course to watch some of the world’s
leading female golfers, Mehra spoke
about achieving her ambitions.
She told the young golfers, “When I was
14, I told my mother I wanted to play
on the LPGA Tour. It wasn’t easy to do
considering that no one from India had
ever done it before.
“Annika (Sorenstam) once helped me
with my putting stroke before a round.
She then went on to tell me that we
must play together against the course,
and battle like lions. We need strong,
independent athletes like her in our
country.”
Duncan Weir, Executive Director – Golf
Development at The R&A, said, “The
R&A has supported the Women’s Indian
Open since 2014 and as part of our
commitment to women’s golf, increased
our funding to the Ladies European Tour
and Access Series in 2017.
The R&A recently supported the Ladies European
Tour in facilitating an achievers camp for young
girls in India.
“By running clinics at high proÀ le
women’s events such as this, young
aspiring golfers can see inspirational role
models up close, which can only help in
producing the next Aditi Ashok.”
W
orking together with the
Women’s Golf Association
and the Indian Golf Union,
the camp was held during the
Hero Women’s Indian Open at the DLF
Golf and Country Club.
The junior golfers travelled from across
India to attend the À rst event of its kind
on the LET, which included a Q&A with
Simi Mehra, the À rst Indian to play on the
LPGA Tour, and clinics with professional
golfers Carlota Ciganda, Neha Tripathi
and Carly Booth.
The camp began with an introduction
to the workings of the LET as an
organisation. Mike Round, Director
of
Development,
spoke
about
encompassing culture around the world
with golf as a common theme. He said,
“We’d like to challenge the norm, and in
Simi Mehra answering the Juniors on the LET
GolfPlus Junior April-May 2018 7