Getting to Know: Gauri Monga

Special Profile by Shubhangini Arora

At the age of twelve, a young Gauri Monga decided to accompany her mother and brother to a golf course because she was bored at home. As she started playing she realized she was hitting every ball high up in the air; not very usual for someone who’s playing for the first time. For someone who says, “I only do things that I am good at,” –this was motivating enough, and Gauri has never looked back since.

Having been the number one Lady Amateur Golfer for two years in a row, Monga is one of the most promising golfers in the country today. At the age of twenty, she is balancing a disciplined sportsperson’s lifestyle along with her academics. Being a perfectionist, she confesses that she cannot do both of these halfheartedly and when she is concentrating on one, the other tends to get ignored. Nonetheless, she continues excelling at both.

As difficult as it is for women to pursue a career in sports in India, Monga feels blessed that she doesn’t have to face most of the pressures the others girls do. However, she laughingly states her grandfather’s concern over her complexion and how the tan would cause a problem finding a husband. On a serious note, she says, “India really needs more professional women golfers. Currently there are about 15 women pros compared to over a hundred male pros. I think this is one of the main reasons people don’t take this seriously; I have even heard male golfers make fun of the female players.”

The problem according to Monga is this vicious cycle, where women don’t take up golf because there is no money and sponsors don’t want to invest money because there aren’t enough women in the game. Thankfully, she has her entire family’s support, which helps her concentrate on her game without having to worry about other things. She admits she doesn’t play for the money- there is hardly any; she just wishes to get all the exposure she can before she fulfills her dream of playing the Europe tour.

Gauri till date has won over 18 tournaments which include the Queen Sirikit Cup and India Asia Open. A diehard fan of Tiger Woods, Gauri Monga admires many Indian Golfers too. “At least 50% of the girls who play golf in India today are inspired by Simi Mehra, if you ask me,” she says. She also likes to see Gaganjeet Bhullar and Sharmila Nicollet play.

Ask her about what part of the game scares her most and she says, “The speech I have to give after I win. I love winning but the stage fright makes it terrible. Other than that I love everything about the game,” says the twenty-year old who is turning pro this December.