Hitting hard is an art: Nicollet

December 17, 2013. Hitting hard is the only art that one needs to get expertise on to reach the heights of golfing game, suggests Sharmila Nicollet to young, upcoming golfers.

“To, all the little girls who want to take up this game seriously. Please hit the ball as hard as you can until you are 16 years old. You will only be a long hitter if you grow up wanting to be one. If you can drive the ball an average of 250 yards then are you in with a realistic chance of competing on the world stage.”

Bangalore based Nicollet took up fascination for golf in 2002 at the age of 11. And with her perfect hitting qualities, went on to win her first tournament at the age of 15. Even though she has pursued golf as profession, her achievements in other sports are equally commendable. She is a former national sub-junior swimming champion with over 72 gold and silver medals won in state and national aquatic meets. She was a state level athlete as well, making records at Bishop Cotton Girls School where she studied.

Nicollet’s ambition is just not limited to own growth in the game but she has emerged as a great champion of promoting golf among young Indian girls.

[highlight]I am living the dream, and if I can inspire a few other girls to do the same, that would be wonderful [/highlight]

“The women’s game is growing and the Women’s’ Golf Association of India is doing a great job. Hopefully more tournaments like the Hero Women’s’ Indian Open can be staged in India to provide a great platform for aspiring young Indian golfers to experience and get inspired to play in these tournaments one day. I am living the dream, and if I can inspire a few other girls to do the same, that would be wonderful.

“Golf suits Indians – it is a game of skill, and once there is good infrastructure and support from public and private companies, there is no reason why a billion Indians cannot generate some really top class golfing talent,” believes Nicollet.

The pink princess, known for her fetish for pink shades, turned professional in 2009. At the age of 18, she is the youngest Indian golfer to qualify for Ladies European Tour. She is the second Indian to earn a full card on the Ladies European Tour. She wants many more to join her brigade in the coming years.