10-year-old Shubham Jaglan’s rise shows golf as a sport is no longer elite

India's golf scene is seeing of many young children taking to it but its only the lack of facilities that remains a challenge.

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10 year old prodigy Shubham Jaglan scripted a scintillating one stroke win at the Junior World Golf Championships. His three-day total of seven-under par 179 was better than rest of the field to become the Junior World Champion in his age category. “When you are playing in these big tournaments, you should have your mind set otherwise you can’t win anything,” says this young boy, the son of a milkman. He has won over 100 tournaments and been felicitated by legends like Gary Player. There are other stories. Though not so successful yet. India’s golf scene is seeing of many young children taking to it but its only the lack of facilities that remains a challenge. “I think that the difference between India and America is the golf facilities. Golf facilities in the US gives ample opportunities for kids to take up golf. While in India, most of the parents only think of medals. However, in the western countries there is no pressure on kids to win medals.”

 

There is never a dull in day in the world of golf. Storms, hail, floods are headlining The Open Championship which has spilt into a Monday. India’s top ranked golfer Anirban Lahiri is soaking in the spotlight with a spectacular performance, picking birdies after birdies. But this article isn’t about the haves. It’s about those golfers who are growing and making news across the world with their precise game with regular-income or less-incomes backgrounds. Those who have struggled to find opportunities because India didn’t offer enough. Those who travelled miles, away from home, playing and practicing with the sun on their head in the peak of summer. Those who have gone against all odds to create a place for themselves and have used savings to pay for every bit of their golf learning. The weekend has been phenomenal for such golfers, reinforcing my conviction that golf indeed is no longer an elite sport.

 

There are other stories. Though not so successful yet. India’s golf scene is seeing of many young children taking to it but its only the lack of facilities that remains a challenge. “I think that the difference between India and America is the golf facilities. Golf facilities in the US gives ample opportunities for kids to take up golf. While in India, most of the parents only think of medals. However, in the western countries there is no pressure on kids to win medals.”

Read More at DNA

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