Meet Priyamvada Sukumar, a house proud lady who has learnt about golf as her husband got hooked on to the game. Sukumar who thought golf would take away from her now believes it’s infused new life into her husband career and outlook. She pens her thoughts on how golf is not just a sport but a way of life.
I have always been interested in sports especially in tennis and cricket, but I was unsure whether golf could be in the same league. I did not have the instinct to love or understand the sport. I was baffled when my spouse Sukumar quit billiards and snooker (was reigning champion at a club in Madras, a decade ago) and took up golf seriously.
Initially I protested, as it was a time consuming sport as playing an 18 hole round would cost me almost the whole Sunday. I reluctantly agreed as he promised to reserve the Saturdays for the family and wanted my cooperation.
Things changed for the better eventually as I loved watching Shaili Chopra’s (my favourite anchor) golf show Business on Course on NDTV. It was informative and interesting. Sukumar’s perseverance was phenomenal and he picked up golf pretty fast. It was way back in 2003/04. I was quite excited when he won the first monthly medal and a few more wins of sorts followed later.
The most exhilarating part was his first hole-in-one, which was followed by another the next week and another the next month or so. It took everyone by surprise but I knew that Sukumar was a perfectionist and it was the reason why he had very quickly achieved a handicap of 16. Hole-in-one parties prevailed and we had to host a combined one as they were in very quick succession, which was rare. Golf gave us an opportunity to socialize.
I have accompanied him with my son to courses in Australia, New Zealand, Ooty, Kodaikanal and have been to St. Andrews too. I encouraged him to take a small break from work (dedicated that he is) and go on a couple of golfing holidays with his friends and also watch the British Open.
Golf did wonders to Sukumar in maintaining good health, composure, rejuvenating and served as a stress buster. I started following golf on the GolfingIndian.com Facebook page and was amazed at the emergence of Indian players at the global arena who gave us a glimmer of hope for an Olympic medal.
Sukumar is on a small break from golf as we moved to Singapore from Chennai last year. He is lucky to have an accommodating group of golfing friends with whom he plays during weekends of Chennai official trips, which is frequent. Nevertheless, he is yet to find time and new friends in Singapore, which has indirectly taken a toll on his health and contentment. Surprisingly for him, my son and myself who were earlier averse to it are encouraging him to pursue playing golf here. The lush greenery, the relaxing walk through the course and meeting fellow golfers definitely makes it an attractive sport.
(Sukumar Rajah is CIO LAM Asian Equity at Franklin Templeton Investments and Priyamvada is his wife)
