24 July 2019: An inescapable energy pervades Indian golf. Even as Shubhankar Sharma was leaving an impression at the Open Championship in Royal Portrush, several of our young golfers were taking their first steps towards the promised land in golf. Anika Varma played some determined golf at the SentryWorld Golf Course in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The tournament is one of USGA run 41 qualifying events for an entry into their marquee junior event for young golfers.
Anika shot two rounds of 74, including five birdies. Even though the result hasn’t enabled her to qualify it gave her plenty of confidence as she begins her journey of development, working with Noah Montgomery on the West Coast. The 15-year-old played well enough through the stroke play, finishing T44 to make it into the matchplay rounds.
Meanwhile, Arjun Bhati and Pranavi Urs are in Europe as a part of the team sent by the Asia Pacific Golf Federation to play in the European Young Masters at the Golf & Spa Kun?tická Hora in Czech Republic.
Arjun, winner of the FCG Callaway Junior World Golf Championship in California, will look to build on his growing reputation as one of the most talented Indian juniors on the circuit. He emerged victorious last week from a field of 636 golfers, by a handsome three-stroke margin over Jeremy Chen of Taiwan.
Pranavi has been a constant now on the ladies circuit, including an impressive performance at the Hero Women’s Indian Open. Arjun is teeing just before noon tomorrow, with a handicap of 2.0, while Pranavi is slated for a 0233pm slot with a handicap of 1.0
The Mysore girl finished second in the seventh leg of the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour at Clover Greens. She is currently ranked 689th on the Women’s Amateur Golf Rankings.
Anika is ranked 778 on the WAGR with some impressive results this year. She won the Eastern India Ladies and Junior Girls Championship and came fourth in the sixth leg of the HWPGT run by WGAI.
Arjun was third in the Karnataka Junior Boys Championship in May this year, when Saurav Rathi was the winner.
