Hola Spain! here we come

They form the Gharodia Energy Systems team, which won the honour of representing the country in this prestigious inaugural world-wide corporate golf tournament after winning the Sterling Resorts Indian Corporate Golf Challenge in Madras, the Indian qualifying tournament.

That they happen to be the youngest team in the tournament, perhaps explains their infectious enthusiasm. 8220;We sure are going to win,8221; they say almost in a unison when asked about their prospect.

8220;Seriously, I feel that age is on our side,8221; said team captain Abhishek Gharodia. Rahul chips in 8220;As a team we have combined well. All of us adjust to each other nicely.8221;

They have been going about in a professional manner. The goal has been set 8212; winning the tournament. The motivation is there 8212; 8220;representing your country is the greatest feeling8221; as young Vikram puts it. Rehearsal has begun in earnest 8212; they have been slogging it out at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club BPGC regularly. Information system has been installed 8212; faxes are flying between Mumbai and La Manga Club, seeking more details about how the course plays.

The team is being coached by Digraj Singh, a former National Games champion and an Indian Golf Union IGU coach. The boys practice daily for two to three hours at the BPGC. To supplement their efforts here, they are leaving early for London to play a couple of rounds in a championship course in London. Rahul has gone a step further. He is leaving for the US of A and has five rounds lined up at the Camillus Course near New York.

8220;We believe we all have good fundamentals. What we are now working on are swings and the short game. Since the course in La Manga has long greens, the short game chipping and putting will make a lot of difference,8221; says Rahul.

The hard work shows on their handicaps. In just six months time, Rajeev became -8 from -9 he could have gone down further but for a painful torn wrist cartilage which kept him off course for nearly two and a half months, Vikram -14 from -16, Rahul -12 from -16 and Abhishek -13 from -16.

8220;We owe a lot to Digraj for what we are today. He has a very busy schedule but still he is there whenever we want him,8221; Rajeev says.

Digraj feels that the key to success will be in the mind. His advice to the boys is: 8220;Stop thinking that it will be tough. Stop worrying. All you have to do is play smart you should know when to attack the pin and when to play to the middle of the green.8221;

The last few days will be spent on discussing strategies. A routine will be made on how to handle each shots. Digraj will also be telling them how to handle the wind, which he believes will play an important role.

Of his wards, Digraj says: 8220;Abhishek is mentally very tough. After a particularly bad accident he had last year in which he hurt his forearm, he lost some power. But still, he is a very steady player. Rajeev is having a little trouble with his swing because of the wrist injury. But he should play to his handicap. Vikram is displaying a new-found committment and discipline. The way he is progressing, he will soon become a mean golfer.

And Rahul, perhaps, is the most ambitious of them all and that is a very essential quality for a golfer. Together, if they don8217;t get flustered, they should do very well.8221;

Though none of them want to take up golf as a profession, they are very eager to do well and bring laurels for their country in this tournament. At stake is a cup, which has been designed by the same cupmakers who manufactured the Prudential World Cup which the Indian cricket team won in 1983. That they might do a Kapil Dev is motivation enough.

As Rajeev says: 8220;One thing is for sure. We are going to put in more than 100 per cent.8221;

About the La manga course

Situated 30 kms from Cartagena, the La Manga Club has three courses 8212; South, North and West. The South Course, where the championship will be played, is a 6,361 yards, par 72 course. The Club opened in 1971, and the South Course was redesigned by none other than Arnold Palmer8217;s company.

The length itself makes the course a hard test for the participants. The front nine are particularly tough with two par 3s over 200m. The fairways are tight with lakes and bunkers generously sprinkled in.

The back nine, although shorter, has a number of tight dog-leg holes. The par-5, 18th is especially difficult with water on both sides of the fairway and the green is completely surrounded by sand.

The greens in general are big and straightforward, but the player may often find himself with very long putts.