It was a chance visit to the NSG Golf Course with a friend, whose father was playing there, that aroused interest an interest in golf in me! Only I know how I contained my burning desire to share my wish with my father. Finally I spilled the beans and to my utter surprise, my father started taking me to golf courses of the NSG where I learnt the initial tricks of the trade, as it were from my father and my friend's father. Thus started my journey with the game and today, I feel proud to share my experience of my first international golf tournament at Kunming, China.
The journey was not an easy one, as I had to first quality in the Little Masters' Junior Golf Tournament, 2013-14 which I did. But then came the hurdle of the finances, which in my case, started to fall in place from unexpected quarters. My Entry Fee and Boarding charges were already taken care of by the Organizing Committee but the expenses for my air ticket and visa which was a considerable amount was needing to paid from my own sources.
[gallery columns="2"]My family began to have second thoughts about my participation. But as they say in Hindi, When you really wish to pursue something, your environment rallies around to help you" ( translated)! My dear School came to hear about my predicament and it readily accepted to bear the expense! This gesture of my alma-mater, The Indian School has become ingrained in my heart and in my memory for life!
The D Day of my departure dawned and I was given a very warm send- off by my parents, teachers and the Director of my School. I reached Kolkata by train on 10 August, 2013 from where I took a flight to Kunming on 11 August. Upon reaching Kunming, I spent the day resting and acclimatizing to the new environs. The next day, I played a practice-round at the Kunming Golf Club. It was my first time outside India!
On 13 August, we had the special chance to receive some golfing tips from the legendary Zhang Lian Wei who is the first professional golfer in China. He was invited to inaugurate our tournament. There were 31 junior golfers in my age category from seven countries who had qualified to participate in the prestigious tournament. The participating golfers were from the USA, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand and India.
I was excited as well as slightly nervous. This was the first time in my life when I was not only representing my School but also my country. On 14 August I started to play my first round and finished at 78, 6 Over. The second day, i.e., 15 August, I played again 78,6 and made the cut with a Birdie on the 18 Hole for the 3rd day. On 16 August, 2013, I played 76, 4 Over. My total score was (78, 78, 76) 232, 16 Over in three days.
This score put me at 9th position in the event. It was a very close finish and I could not comprehend the importance of my achievement till I returned home and was felicitated by my parents and my School! Today, because of the exposure, I find myself a tougher golfer and definitely, a stronger human being.
This experience was made possible by only the timely spontaneous assistance from my beloved The Indian School.
Daksh Shokeen, Class 8.
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