With the onset of winter season, the greens of Golmuri Golf Course and Beldih Golf Course that boast of an expanse of verdant land are abuzz with activities. The action is back on the greens as several tournaments have been lined up
With 17th Tata Open Golf teeing off on Wednesday top Indian professionals such as Asian Tour winners Khalin Joshi, Rashid Khan, Chikkarangappa and Chiragh Kumar, to name a few are in the city. The top foreign players in the field are Sri Lankans Anura Rohana (defending champion), Mithun Perera, N Thangaraja and K Prabagaran as well as Australian Kunal Bhasin are also participating in the coveted tournament.
A few years back only a handful of golfers were seen sweating at the greens but now several smart young players sporting trousers and T-shirts can be seen catching the eye. Some of the prominent names in the field Golf are Karan Taunk, Aditya Panchamiya, Arush Sabharwal, Dheer Dutta, Kurush Heerjee, Pawan Marwa and Shivam Kamani. The women squad is led by Alka Garg, Anahita Taunk, Shweta Singh, Sushmita Ghosh, Manisha Kumar, Shakti Sharma, Rita Jh, Kiran Mehta, Hetal, Adesara, Malvika Jha and Rekha Jha.
Famous golf coach, Alan Singh, is happy with the manner in which the game has gained popularity in the steel city. “Golf has come a long way in the steel city. After Kolkata, Jamshedpur is the most famous golf arena in eastern India. We have 300 golfers in the city. Moreover, 40 children have joined the game and our being groomed. We are really to see the game becoming so popular in the city.”
Golf coach Mohammed Kamaal said that facilities available in the city have played a key role in the promotion of Golf. The game has come a long way in the steel city.
“ We have Golf Training Centre that is grooming the young talent in the city. We are catching them young and kids from five years and above can join the centre for training. The coaching is held from Monday to Friday,” said Kamaal.
Famous golfer Alka Garg said:“ Jamshedpur is recognised as a city that is well planned, clean, green, and environmentally friendly and offers the best modern amenities. I started playing golf just as past time. But latter it became a passion for me. I found it extremely relaxing, yet a good form of exercise. Also, it was a sport that many of my friends were into.”
She further added: “ I have a strong association with the nature and golf being an eco-friendly game attracted me. I have fallen in love with the green grass. The combination of great weather, a lush green golf course, and the company of my friends makes golf immensely appealing, which is why golf is considered to be my passion.”