India Golf Awards fills a great void

Special Report by Anand Datla

Golf is a game of habit, perseverance and practiced skills. It is a competition against the self as much as it is a race against others. In India though, the game languished on the fringes – left to the elite for far too long. But the aspirations of a brave new generation, who flew from carrying bags to taming courses lead Indian golf into a new era of promise. As we prepare to witness the second edition of the India Golf Awards next week, it is time to celebrate the growing prominence of golf in India.

Harry Truman, the post war American president once reminded his people that, “it is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” Golf in India has flourished in a similar spirit with a tight knit community of golfers and caddy turned golfers going about their business with monk like focus.

Also Read: Arnold Palmer’s Message for INDIA GOLF AWARDS

Established professionals and fledgling amateurs alike went around the courses with scant attention, honing their skills and moving the game forward. Finally the men and women who have soldiered for years with barely any recognition can look forward to being acknowledged with fervour and festivity.

Meanwhile, all those years of hard work is paying off rich dividends to our golfers. Anirban Lahiri, the country’s leading golfer wrote a new page in the history of Indian golf when he became only the fourth Indian to register a European Tour victory.

The younger generation is not too far behind – men like Rashid Khan and Chikkarangappa are forcing their way into the national consciousness with their consistency and success around the Indian circuit run by the PGTI.

The awards next week will ensure that a new tradition that began in 2013 will deepen its relationship with the golfers by recognising excellence in golf for only the second time. The awards also serve to acknowledge the valuable role of corporate benefactors in the difficult existence of golf in India.

Most importantly the India Golf Awards 2015 will fill a huge void and spur our golfers to greater heights in the pursuit of the elegant game.