Time, encouragement needed to save women’s golf in India

This is not the first time such scores have been posted on theleaderboard by the country’s leading lady amateurs. Such high figures have been carded at most regional tournaments throughout this season. Furthermore, according to the pros who played at the KGA in Bangalore earlier this season, the course, with its length and slick putting surfaces, is the closest one can get to international standard courses in the country. Is this an indication of what our girls are likely to throw up when they’re up against the best — golfers and courses.

While taking over as Convenor of the Indian Golf Union Ladies Section (IGULS) a year ago, Champika Sayal announced that a national team would only be sent abroad if girls made the cut off scores set by the IGULS committee. But the way things stand at present, there may be no team to represent India at the Queen Sirikit and other championships played in this continent.

On the contrary, this is the same body that has encouraged and produced players like Simi Mehra, who currently plays in the US and Europe. While walking with her atthe British Open in ’98, I was surprised at the number of spectators who commented on her strong execution of creative golf shots and long hitting.

Unfortunately, one of the reasons for such a bad display is the politics that plagues this section, not at the national level but at the grass root level in local ladies sections. Rather than promoting the few who take to the sport inspite of the pressures of an education and over protective parents, most youngsters are involved in the politics and matters relating to the governing of a section. This in turn reflects on their attitude towards others, their behaviour and golf etiquette. Most often there is always someone to cover up for such shortcomings, in order to cultivate a following.

Secondly, even older ladies who participate in the numerous nett events maintain handicaps which make winning easier. For them, their handicap is not the best they can maintain as is done the world over — but one that can insure the maximum number of nett prizes,regardless of the scores.Though the number of prizes on offer makes participating in tournaments fun, they should not cause one to overlook the main purpose of organising such events, that of improving the standard and quality of golf.

Today, what Indian ladies golf needs is a little more encouragement and a lot of hard work time spent hitting balls on the range or working with a coach or on overall fitness. Youngsters who have talent, potential or maybe just the commitment to put in the hard work required should be selected and trained. The idea is to produce world class golfers, who can hold their heads high and be proud to represent the nation. And not send out teams which carry excess emotional baggage that has nothing to do with the game of golf.

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS

PGAI: Patna Open
Winner: Rafiq Ali
EPGA: Heineken Open
Winner: Michael Campbll
Senior PGA: Senior Skins Game
Winner: Gary Player
Coming Up
Senior PGA Tour: ACE Group Classic
Buy.Com Tour: Buy.ComLakeland Classic
EPGA: Benson and Hedges Malaysian Open
LPGA: Los Angeles Women’s Championship
Asian Davidoff & EPGA Tour: Malaysian Open
Golfer of the week: Gary Player: Dressed in his trademark black clothes, Gary Player is still best occupied collecting golfing laurels and setting the pace on yet another tour.