Yoga must for golfers: Donato

It will be more like an academy … a golf school. This will be the first of its kind in the whole of Asia and will not only cater to the needs of the Chandigarh golfers but other Indian players as well. Golfers can now master their weaknesses and take on the best of the world,” he said.

“We have to lay more stress on the coaching aspect. I hope to leave behind something of me when I go back,” Donato said. Donato is under a three year contract with the CGA and the Indian golf union and will be paid 27,000 Pounds for his role. Besides coaching the golfers, he will also assist CGA with the designing of the Driving Range.

The first phase of the Driving Range is expected to be completed by the year end, according to Droncharya Awardee cricket coach, D P Azad who is the president of CGA. “If everything goes well, the Driving Range will be one the best,” Azad said.

Later, talking about some of his Indian proteges Harmeet Kahlon, Amandeep Johl and Parneeta Garewal Donato said that he was happy with their development but felt there was still room for further improvement. He said,“I am proud of Harmeet Kahlon. But, I keep telling him that so far he is only India’s number one amateur golfer. He has to work hard before he can be a true champion.”

Talking about Kahlon’s chances in the forthcoming Asian Games, Donato said,“Given his form, he should win a medal.”

Donato runs the PGA of Europe’s Teaching Academy in Torina (Italy) and to everybody’s surprise, informed that the performance of his trainees went up after the introduction of yoga in his academy. “Yoga helps in enhancing concentration. All the golfers must practice this to raise their level,” Donato said.

Meanwhile, D P Azad informed that there would be different putts and mounds around the chip in the Driving Range so that the golfers have adequate training for all scenarios. Donato also visited the Chandigarh Golf Club course to see the facilities there.