She is among the most prolific female golfers in India and have won several big tournaments like the World Corporate Challenge, and more recently the Karnataka Golf Festival. Someone who began playing the sport at the age of seven, Sonam Chugh has come a long way nurturing her love for the sport. She narrates her story, shares her successes and reflects on why winning can be big reason why people excel in sport. Anand Dalta speaks with her.
Congratulations on your recent run of good form. Tell us about your journey into golf and how you took to the game ?
I was 7 years old when my father forced me to hit golf balls for an hour everyday on the terrace of my house. I did this for 3 years and I hated every single day of it until I started playing on the course. The game was really boring but any day better than studying. I fell in love with the game only when I started winning. The fame & respect that I earned in the small amateur golfing world as a junior made the game my passion.
Who have been the big influencers on the development of your game ?
At every stage of my game I had many people play a role. My father Mr.V. Prakash taught me the game ; members of the JWGC always believed I would achieve and nicked me CHAMP and Mr. Rahul Ganapathy my coach took my game to a new level .
Do you have a favourite course? What did you like of it?
I enjoy every course I play. They are all different and have their own charm. I get to learn something new every time. But my preference is a well maintained course.
While Indian women are doing well on the domestic circuit, there is still a big gap in terms of international standards. What do you think needs to be done to address this ?
This gap can be eliminated by development of skill and attitude. To develop skill, women can follow the example of Michelle Wie. She practices of the back tees and plays longer yardages. This is a good way for young ladies to improve their game which will give them a fair chance in competing on the international front.
I’m very passionate about the game and this led me to being certified as an International Rules Official.
As an ‘Indian Team’ we were not considered competition
You fell just short in the Karnataka Golf Festival. Can you explain what happened on Sunday, the final day?
I enjoy these golf events. It’s a wonderful platform for club level and corporate golfers from different cities to compete against each other. In my handicap category of 0-5, on day one my partner at the world corporate golf challenge Mr. Shashidhar Reddy brought in an amazing score of 36 points. I played on day 2 and struggled to chase that score but managed to get 37 points by birding my last hole. On Sunday I was overtaken by an IGU ranked scratch handicapper who played a brilliant round of 3 under par which is really impressive and beyond corporate level golfers .
What are your aspirations as a golfer?
I’m very passionate about the game and this led me to being certified as an International Rules Official. I aspire to play good golf at the Corporate and Club levels and hope to be officiating at the Majors .
I enjoy these golf events. It’s a wonderful platform for club level and corporate golfers from different cities to compete against each other. In my handicap category of 0-5, on day one my partner at the world corporate golf challenge Mr. Shashidhar Reddy brought in an amazing score of 36 points. I played on day 2 and struggled to chase that score but managed to get 37 points by birding my last hole. On Sunday I was overtaken by an IGU ranked scratch handicapper who played a brilliant round of 3 under par which is really impressive and beyond corporate level golfers .
I’m very passionate about the game and this led me to being certified as an International Rules Official. I aspire to play good golf at the Corporate and Club levels and hope to be officiating at the Majors .
Picture Credit: Sonam Chugh
