V Krishnaswamy: Celebration time for amateurs

SIMPLY GOLF

In a span of a little over one month, there's been more good news for amateur golf in India than there has been for years. First the junior amateur Tour found a sponsor in Nokia and now the Amateur Tour, with 10-12 events, found its sponsor in Royal Challenge.

With five big events on the junior Tour and 10-12 events on main amateur tour, now christened, Royal Challenge Indian Tour, getting all the backing, the stage is indeed set for a new era in Indian amateur golf.

A few weeks ago it was youngsters like Fathebir Dhaliwal, Ajeetesh Sandu, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Viraat Bahdwar, and their like who were rejoicing. Now it is time for their seniors to do the same. This week, when the news was unveiled, half a dozen of India's leading amateurs wore a huge smile.

Keshav Mishra, Vikrant Chopra, Simarjeet Singh, Gagan Verma and Jasjit Singh among others all dressed in their National blazers were smiling ear to ear. Frankly for them, there is little to gain in terms of money "" amateurs after all do not play for money "" yet they recognise what a huge step it is for them, as a sponsor backs their tour.

"I hope all this will mean better events, more facilities and greater exposure for us amateurs," said Vikrant Chopra, who many feel has a great future ahead of him as a professional, once he gives up his amateur status.

Simarjeet Singh echoed the same feelings. "Thus far most amateurs have been backed by their employers, like oil companies, but with some more money in Indian Golf Union's kitty, things could become better for us amateurs. Also professional organisation of events and good media exposure will take amateur golf to greater heights," said Singh, who won the Sri Lankan Open a record three times in a row.

"I had to skip the fourthj, because it clashed with my wedding dates," added the grinning Simarjeet, whose brother Jasjit Singh is also leading a amateur.

While Indian pro golf has managed to make a place for itself in Asia with the likes of Arjun Atwal, Jyoti Randhawa, Jeev Milkha Singh and more recently Harmeet Kahlon, Rahil Gangjee and others making a mark, Indian amateur golf too has shown more life.

More recently, players like Ashok Kumar and Harinder Gupta have turned pros and given a great account of themselves. Ashok, in his first year, was the rookie of the year and in his next season "" the current one 2003-03 "" became India's No. 1.

Harinder Gupta won a pro event even while being an amateur and has now turned professional and we will get to hear more about him when the new season starts in August.

Back in 1982 Indians won the Asian Games gold medals in both team and individual events "" Amit Luthra, member of the Indian team in 1982 was present at the announcement.

It took 20 years for India to strike a gold next, when Shiv Kapur, studying on a scholarship in United States won the gold at Busan Asian Games in 2002.

"Hopefully, sponsorships and more exposure will make gold medals a more regular feature," said Brandon de Souza, whose company Tiger Sports Marketing got the sponsorhip.

De Souza and his partner, Digraj Singh, leading golfers in their time, understand the importance of amateur golf. "Amateur golf is the starting point for the growth of the game in any country," says Digraj Singh.

As Satish Aparajit, secretary of the IGU puts it, "This gives IGU a lot of room for more training programmes, developmental schemes and exposure trips at the grass root level." Supporting him all the way has been the IGU President, K N Harsh.

Now all we need are a few more public driving ranges and public courses and golf will be ready to take on any other sport in the country.