August 04, 2015: Rahul Bajaj and a collection of enterprising Indian golfers are travelling across the United States to try and play their way into the PGA TOUR. In a starkly individual game, it is heartening to see a motley collection of young Indian golfers come together as a unit and work for collective progress.
The few adventurous men hired a caravan to travel around the United States and pursue their passion for golf as a team. And they have a mission – to try and make the grade on the PGA TOUR.
Shaili Chopra caught up with Rahul in an exclusive conversation to understand their dreams and the passion that goes with it.
What was the genesis of this concept?
Monetary and logistical issues stop players from coming to the USA, hence Gurbaaz Mann wanted that more players can be helped through funding to come and qualify for the PGA tour. He believes that we are skilled and no less than any top players, hence all we need is a push in the direction and funding to reach the dream.
How did you get the players convinced?
The players as myself did not need any convincing. We know where we want to be, that is the PGA tour. And now finally we found a way to get there through the iapga and the supporters from the local Indian communities here.
The courses here are well manicured and consistent, which makes hitting aggressive shots much easier. Having said that it makes the game of golf lot simpler when you know how the ball will react where it pitches. The conditions are true.
What had been the reaction of the Indian diaspora in the USA?
The Indians here have been extremely warm and are amazed that we can step on a golf course on day1 and shoot scores in the 60’s. They had no idea that India has bred such adaptable players. They have given us an overwhelming reception so far and we are looking forward to meet more of such supporters in the journey we have embarked upon.
What prompted you to pursue crowd funding as the means to execute this plan?
Because corporate funding has never come in the game for players who are not of the top brass in the world. Most of the players have been self funded and how long is that possible? Either the upcoming players don’t get support or the top ones get millions. Someone had to come forward to help the players get ahead in their careers. And that is where the iapga has stepped in.
What is the vision and aim at the heart of this initiative?
When Gurbaaz Mann came to America to invent new technologies in golf. He saw that in India, sports run through a reward system where as here in USA, everything is first handed to all players I.e infrastructure, coaching facilities and funding. Thereafter the players are made. In India players have to do all that for themselves. The iapga wants the talented players from India hand picked and thereafter help them to get all that they should to hone their skills. That will help them go to the top level because that’s where we belong.
For eg 10 players play and one player gets the prize. Whereas in infra like USA all the ten players get the equipment and coaching and practice facilities, right from schooling. They are provided these facilities and they all have equal opportunities, no matter what kind of financial background you come from.
- In this article
- anand datla
- IAPGA
- Rahul Bajaj
