‘Records are meant to be broken’ is an oft quoted statement but in reality all records are more like riddles for most people do not know why they break them!
When Brijesh Patel and I made our first Limca book record in 2014 by playing 182 holes in 14 hrs and 13 minutes in stroke play format, the sense of achievement was euphoric and the desire to do something extraordinary again, was born immediately. We began to plan and work for the second record with all the zest and enthusiasm we had. Reviewing past records that have been set and brain storming about innovative ideas for future records became a part and parcel of our interactions. And in 2015 we did it again! We set our second Limca book record by playing in ten different golf courses of Ahmedabad in alternate shot format within 11 hours and 29 minutes. This second feat also won us recognition, praises and even the appreciation of our chief minister, Anandiben Patel. But the glory of achievement was soon overpowered by the dream to get a hat- trick and even more!
Looking back now, I think the seeds for our recent record breaking performance were sown about a year and a half ago. We not only wanted to make a third Limca record but also break a world record! While passionately nurturing this dream and working out the minute, practical strategies for realizing it, we faced every other challenge that life threw at us outside the golf course, with more maturity, positivity and calmness. I wonder if this has something to do with our passion for the game of golf which surely does influence our lifestyle, our attitudes and our ways of thinking!
20th of June 2016– the day which made me wonder at my own self? “What? 360 holes? How did we manage that?”I asked myself when it was all over. While my super persevering, micro-planner friend, Brijesh, wisely remarked- “Finally, hard work and smart work did well!” Yes, that is the secret behind our joint ventures and victories. Brijesh Patel’s tireless perseverance and ability to plan every minute detail and Siddharth Naik’s very strong & positive mind set to achieve any goal, complement each other to create records!
Many people ask me how we prepared ourselves for each record breaking performance. Well, this time, since we were also looking at breaking a Guinness record we had to first be sure of all the requirements and formalities. First requirement was yardage. For Guinness we had to play a minimum yardage of 6100.So we selected the white tees at Kalhaar Blues & Greens which play between 6200 and 6300. Under the efficient supervision of General Manager Golf Operations Mr Sudershan Singh with all his team centrally controlled by Mr Anil Patel, a video photographer Mr Jaydeep for continuous live recording and scorer Mr Senthil Kumar (Golf PRO) the day’s proceedings were monitored from Start to Finish. Totally 360 holes (20 Rounds) were played from 5.45am to 7.29pm.
The record of most golf holes played in 12 hours by a pair using a cart is 261 was achieved last by Katsuya Takasu and Koji Ishida (both Japanese) at Kyowa Country Club, Toyoda-shi, Aichi-ken, Japan, on 2 August 2011.Time management, game plan and team work were on our top priority list. We selected special pin positions to ensure that we did not have to walk much on the green and thus save seconds. To ensure that we did not hit too many ob and balls in water, we had planned shot selection for each hole. We had a fore caddy on each hole spotting our ball so that we did not waste time looking and searching for it. We opted for cart drivers which also helped us save time.
We read the entire cart manual to learn how to prepare the carts. The speed was normal but there were some crucial settings like acceleration and brake settings that helped in saving seconds and optimizing battery usage. Carts were required to be changed every two rounds. So there were days we would go to the golf course and get the caddies and team to just practice cart change procedure.
Diet and fitness preparation was also important. To increase stamina and tenacity, I took to yoga and some cardio exercises, while Brijesh started jogging and brisk walking twice a day. The scorching May heat in Ahmedabad made it necessary to practice very early in the mornings. Mostly, we practiced sets of three rounds. It was only a couple of days before the D-day that we reached somewhere close to our time target for each round.
We kept ourselves well hydrated and avoided acidic food. Together with all this, when we got enough hours of good sleep at night, we were all set for the BIG Day!
When we reached Kalhaar at 5.05am on Monday, 20th June 2016, the weather was pleasant and peaceful with the Rain God blessing us by keeping away. Our support team of around 30 staff members and caddies along with more than 20 friends and family members got into action no sooner we got set to start. Amidst loud cheering Brijesh Patel took the first shot.
Throughout the day, the walky talkies kept all the key people looped in for instant, real time communication and reporting. Our family members and friends set up a unique f & b station near the 13th hole. Every time we passed by on our carts, they quickly replenished our stock of fruit flavored ORS water, dry fruits, juices and rolls which we could consume on the way. That kept us going cheerfully.
We played in the alternate shot format making a total score of 1824 after completion of 360 holes (20 Rounds). The fastest round was the 5th round (duration- 37 minutes 40 seconds for 18 holes). At 3.50 pm amidst a warm, cheering crowd of friends, the golfing fraternity and family members we broke the Guinness record by completing 270 holes in 10 hours and then went on to play till we finished 360 for the Limca book . After the last historic shot by Brijesh I remember we hugged each other and said “We did it! Now, what next?”
Ferdinand Foch, a French Marshal once said, “The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire. When you consistently improve on your past performance, constantly looking for ways to best your previous efforts, you’ll set yourself ablaze with passion, purpose and a new found enthusiasm for living. Best of all, you’ll be poised for a record breaking performance.”
Brijesh Patel and Siddharth Naik are now poised to do 50-50-30! In other words, play in 50 golf courses in 50 cities in 30 days. As it involves travel, stay and other expenses we are looking for sponsors. The human spirit, they say is indomitable. So we surely will find a way.
In the mean time, we shall continue as recreational, amateur golfers to do our bit in popularizing the game using innovative strategies. I am also excited about my role as the west zone manager of the Indian Golf Union. Presently I am actively involved in their Golf in Schools program in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa. May be with my efforts and encouragement some children of today will grow up to be Olympians tomorrow. With that cherished dream I shall plant the little walnut seeds which may to take years to grow but will finally yield fruit!
– Siddharth Naik
