Indrajit Bhalotia runs the Academy at the Tollygunge Club and is himself is prolific golfer. He is now engaged in growing the sport among young children in the eastern region.
Golf in Eastern India has grown exponentially over the last decade. Ten years ago there were only 15 kids playing golf in the city at the Tollygunge Club and Royal Calcutta Golf Club. Then both clubs opened the junior program to non members’ children. As a result of the initiative to make the sport more inclusive, today there are about 400 juniors playing golf in Kolkata in the Tollygunge Club, Royal Calcutta Golf Club, Calcutta Ladies Golf Club and at Fort William.
[highlight] Over the last decade the foundation has been laid for the development of talent in Kolkata. The fruits it is bearing now is only the beginning, as the success of these golfers will pave the way for the next generation to follow suit. [/highlight]
Development of talent requires constant competition, and there is no dearth of tournaments for juniors to compete in in Kolkata. Between Tollygunge and Royal Calcutta Golf Club, there are about 24 junior tournaments held in the city every year. Most of these tournaments are either free or cost a maximum of Rs 100 as entry fees, thereby ensuring that everybody is given an opportunity to compete regardless of their economic status. The inter school golf championship was started eight years ago by the Royal Calcutta Golf Club and today the Inter School Championship sees 250 juniors participating from 25 schools.
The best indicative of the strength of golf in the east zone is the success attained by the juniors. Four of the top six juniors in the A category IGU National Finals in Delhi were from the east. Golfers from the east have also made their mark internationally. Two of the three juniors from India participating in the Callaway World Juniors in San Diego were also from Kolkata. Both of them finished in the top 25.
Over the last decade the foundation has been laid for the development of talent in Kolkata. The fruits it is bearing now is only the beginning, as the success of these golfers will pave the way for the next generation to follow suit.
