May 14, 2017: SSP Chawrasia is a gentle man with a golden heart. One of India’s most loved golfers is taking baby steps towards ploughing back to the game. The two time Hero Indian Open champion supported the SSP Chawrasia Junior Golf Challenge at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club in Kolkata on Saturday.
Sandeep Yadav won in the boys’ 15-18 years category, while Aashera Sethi won among the girls at the SSP Chowrasia Junior Golf Challenge. Over 100 children assembled at the iconic RCGC for the event, participating across age categories. Chawrasia was in attendance, beaming with joy as he interacted with and inspired the kids for a career in golf.
The 36 year old is a six time winner on the Asian Tour and a four time winner on the European Tour. “This is my first step in trying to grow the game and create future Olympians and champions,” said Chawrasia.
Chawrasia is working with and through the Ultimate Golf Junior Tour, with plans for a nationwide series of events for junior golfers.
The PTI reported that the “tournament had 19 categories, 10 for boys and 9 for girls.” It is also understood that two juniors will be selected from among the winners to represent India in the Ciputra World Junior Golf Championship, Jakarta from 06 – 09 June.
Chawrasia as part of “giving back to the game” has offered to sponsor air-tickets for four winners of the season ending Finale ‘The Milkha Junior Golf Championship’ scheduled in Chandigarh in the fourth week of this month.
The winners of the season ending Finale get an opportunity to represent the nation in the US Kids World & Teen World Championship at Pinehurst, NC, USA.
“The junior golfers are the future of the game and the future of golf is in bright hands. Golf is no more only for the rich and is now more accessible for youngsters starting out early. The Ultimate Junior Tour is a great platform for the nourishment of young talent across India,” Chawrasia added.
Sundeep Verma, Director Ultimate Golf, said, “The idea of such tournaments and collective association is to grow the game at grassroot level and give young talent opportunities to outshine and showcase their talent at international platforms.”
The first of the events was held last month and supported by Jeev Milkha Singh.
With inputs from the PTI feed about the event.
