It feels great to be back walking the fairways after a gap of five months !!
“It’s longer than expected.” That’s the phrase I would like to use to describe the recent situation for women golfers in our country.
In the last 17 months, Indian golfers competing in the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour (HWPGT) had gone through one of the worst times that one could imagine where they were unsure of what the future holds.
Let us explain the chronology of the last 17 months.
Till 2019, the Women’s Golf Association of India (WGAI) was conducting tournaments almost regularly but from the early part of 2020, the quick spread of the deadly pandemic changed everything within a couple of weeks.
WGAI did stage events till March 2020 but after that, from April 2020 almost everyone was forced to stay home following a nationwide lockdown, imposed across the country for the next four months.
From June 2020, while Korean LPGA launched its event, India was ending its lockdown state-wise. However, it was only in December 2020, the post-pandemic first tournament of the season - Leg 7 was held. WGAI had organized a total of nine tournaments in 2020 which included three events in December and six events in the early part of the year.
Golfers started a new year – 2021 hoping for a fabulous season. The first Hero WPGT event of 2021 was Leg 1, played from 13-15 January, Ridhima Dilawari won the event. Pranavi Urs won the next event.
In the next three events, three players Avani Prashanth, Seher Atwal, Jahanvi Bakshi had their first maiden victory in Leg 3, 4, 5 respectively. Jahanvi won Leg 5 on 12th March 2021.
From the second quarter of 2021, India was hit by the second wave of Covid 19 hence the tour was stopped for an indefinite period. All WPGT events were stopped following a quick spread of the second wave from March 2021, the same as March 2020.
It was a hard time for the players. Unfortunately, some of the players contracted Corona while some who survived Covid were gazing at an uncertain future.
At last, the tour was resumed for the second time in two years. The last time it took seven months to restart the tour was in December 2020. This time the tour took five months to resume play from September 2021.
The WGAI have planned to play five events from September to October 2021, the first event after March 2021 is Leg 7 in WPGT.
It’s an exhilarating feeling for the players.
“It surely is a fantastic feeling to compete after such a long break, just to be walking the fairways again bathed in the sun. I think we’re all aware of the physical and mental health benefits golf can provide, unfortunately, due to COVID tournaments got cancelled but I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season! I’m coming out of a little bit of a shoulder injury- however I’m just happy to be playing again, to give it a shot and put my best into it” said Seher Atwal who won leg 4 in 2020.
When approached by DKT Sports, golfers were excited to share their experience during the lockdown phase and their plans for the current season.
Avani Prashanth, who won leg 3 in Feb 21, prepared herself for the season during the lockdown phase. “We have a home setup which includes a hitting mat, a Super strong net and my GCQUAD, FSX Golf simulator along with a putting mat. During the lockdown I practiced every day, played on virtual courses 3 times a week and worked on areas I needed to get better. I think I really made good use of this pandemic times. My lessons with my coach and fitness also continued throughout the lockdown. I also had set up a home gym so my routine for both fitness and golf was followed and I really don’t think I missed out on anything besides playing on the real course”, said Avani.
Seher could not escape Covid, was busy working on her game during the lockdown phase. ‘Post our last slew of tournaments, I had an extremely packed agenda working on different aspects of my game. My daily schedule was fairly punishing and when I finally took a break, it was because I really needed to hit refresh for myself and my mind. During that time though, I unfortunately contracted COVID myself which led to more time away from my game than I would have liked” said Seher.
Another player, Disha Kavery said she had her fitness sessions on during the lockdown period and she was regular with that.
It’s nice to be back said Disha, as players playing after a long time but it’s important to stay safe during these times. “I’m excited to play this event cause it’s happening in one of the most challenging golf courses”, said Disha.
For Seher, plenty of lessons were learnt from a difficult time. “I would like say I took some positives from the extended break I had due to my illness and feel extremely well rested now. I’ve had some time away which has allowed me to get back to the game with renewed focus. I’ve been putting in the time these last few weeks and feel like it’s all coming together well, nicely in time for the upcoming tournaments, said Seher in an emailed response to DKT Sports.
Avani is quite optimistic about the upcoming season. “The IGU has also planned an excellent calendar, the first tournament is right after I head back after playing the 8th and 9th Leg. Even though the amateur season has started, I will still continue to play in professional tour because I want to break into the Top 100 in WAGR by the end of 2021”, said Avani.
Disha too is prepared for the ongoing season. “I think I’ve done my work in the last 5 months and I am confident to play the event. We have 2 more tournaments after this so rest and be ready for the next events,” Disha told DKT Sports.
In all, women golfers are keeping their fingers crossed and hoping for a better and trouble-free season ahead.
By Dhruv Trivedi
September 01, 2021 in Golf
In conversation with Jahanvi and Hitaashee Bakshi
Having a sibling is always a great blessing as there is always someone who takes care of you and every sibling be it brother-sister, two sisters or two brothers are usually different from the other as one like what other don’t and in some scenarios, sibling have a similar profession and same is the case of Hitaashee and Jahanvi Bakshi, both are sisters and both pursue the same profession of golf but their likes and dislikes are different and their journey is little different. DKT Sports was lucky enough to take the dual interview of Hitaashee and Jahanvi Bakshi in the recently concluded Leg 6 of Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour.
Interview:
When did you start playing golf?
Jahanvi Bakshi: I started playing golf when I was eight years old.
Hitaashee Bakshi: I started playing golf when I was six years old.
But why you choose golf as a career?
Jahanvi Bakshi: In the beginning our parents wanted us to be in any sports beside studying so, we tried all the sports we like none so, then our grandfather suggested that we should try golf so, I started first and then she followed.
Hitaashee Bakshi: Same.
How were your early years in golf?
Jahanvi Bakshi: Amateur and junior career were fine for me so, I used to finish in top 2, top 3 then later in the years I picked up when I was in “A” category so, I picked up and I started coming first then I finished first for the national year.
Hitaashee Bakshi: I am always been first in every category I have played from my “E” category to my “A” category and back in 2019, I was India’s no. 1 playing amateur, in all categories I was always no. 1.
How was your first year as a professional?
Jahanvi Bakshi: Still going on the first year in my professional so, far so good I hope I will win more in the future.
Hitaashee Bakshi: For me, it’s been good I have been learning a lot of things so, it’s going good.
How does it feel to finally win in the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour?
Jahanvi Bakshi: It was a great feeling, it felt like it was a part of the journey that was completed successfully like a stepping stone towards reaching the final goal which is winning in the LPGA and finally entering the LPGA Hall of Fame.
Hitaashee Bakshi: It was good and it was feeling like back to life.
What changes you have done in your game which is helping you to play fantastically well in 2021?
Jahanvi Bakshi: So, my hitting has been my good point so, I figured that out if I can play on my hitting and I try to hone the skill better, short game I improved it and mentally obviously I had to improve.
Hitaashee Bakshi: So, I feel I mentally more confident than before, after winning than, becoming professional that’s the biggest change I had.
Can you say something about your sister who plays on the same tour?
Jahanvi Bakshi: She is an amazing competitor, she inspires me every minute, every shot and how to be mentally strong and be brave, fight for every shot, she teaches me that how to fight for it.
Hitaashee Bakshi: Its fun watching her and learning stuff which I have actually never seen when we both were playing in amateur, she turned professional and me looking at her is some next level so, it’s been a great journey playing with her.
How do you balance between being a sister and a competitor?
Jahanvi Bakshi: Nothing, while on course we are competitors we play for our own shots and when we are outside the course, we analyze each other’s game like today you got to play shots here, or maybe what was wrong today and helping each other, when you are on course you are playing for your own game, when you are off course you help out.
Hitaashee Bakshi: Same.
By getting multiple top five this year, is it helping you both to get a potential sponsor or you both already have a sponsor?
Jahanvi Bakshi: DLF is already sponsoring us and hopefully it will continue to sponsor us.
Hitaashee Bakshi: DLF has been quite supportive.
Jahanvi Bakshi: And even in our amateur years the DLF Junior Golf Excellence Program sponsored us which helped us tremendously and once we have turned professional, they have continued their support and we are what we are because of DLF.
Who is the better golfer?
Jahanvi Bakshi: It’s a deuce, you can’t decide.
Hitaashee Bakshi: Exactly.
How much your parents have supported you to play this game?
Jahanvi Bakshi: Our father is in the Army so, he has saved up every penny he could for us to continue playing golf obviously sponsorship by DLF has been a major change, our mother has been always been with us in each and every shot she’s with us so, she’s been an excellent motivator.
Hitaashee Bakshi: Our parents both mom and dad have supported us throughout our golfing career they are our pillars of strength and motivation and they have been always by our side, I am proud of them.
How impressed are your parents with your success?
Jahanvi Bakshi: It is a part of the journey like I have said and it’s a stepping stone so yeah, a little bit.
Hitaashee Bakshi: This is just the beginning of a journey and every journey starts with a single step so, this the first step.
Do you both have the same coach or a different coach?
Jahanvi Bakshi: Same coach.
Hitaashee Bakshi: And we both have worked under Anitya Chand for the past ten years.
What club suits you the best?
Jahanvi Bakshi: For me, it would be me driver and pitching wedge.
Hitaashee Bakshi: For me, it's my lob wedge and 7 iron.
Goal in the coming three years?
Jahanvi Bakshi: Making it into the Ladies European Tour.
Hitaashee Bakshi: Making myself as strong as possible and making the tour card in Q-School and then go to the LPGA.
What is your ultimate dream?
Jahanvi Bakshi: To enter the LPGA Hall of Fame.
Hitaashee Bakshi: To become world number 1.
March 23, 2021 in Interviews
Interview of Seher Atwal
Recently in Leg 6 of the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour, DKT Sports interviewed professional golfer Seher Atwal and in the interview she talks about her first professional victory and experience of playing in America’s NCAA.
Interview:
How did you get into golf?
So, I started at the age of around 6, I used to go with my dad and my sister, my sister used to play so, we were young so, being a younger sister, I would just accompany her to the club and I saw her play and that’s how I started picking up the sport myself.
How were your early years in the sport?
I still do remember my early years because I travelled a lot, I guess I was young and I was into it and I used to play a lot of sports so, it’s not like that golf is the only sport I played, I used to horse ride, I used to swim so, it's not like that I focused into golf but I definitely enjoyed playing cause I remember playing in the US Open I went to the States, I played in the US Kids and also went to Scotland and played so, I quite enjoyed playing as a junior and by the age of 11-12 I was sure this is what I wanted to do so, I then got more into it.
What is the contribution of your father, a former amateur golfer and participant of the 1984 World Amateur Championship?
So, for sure my dad has a huge role to play because my sister started playing because of him and being the younger daughter, I started playing followed my sister and my father’s footsteps, he did play back in the day, he doesn’t play anymore, however, he would take me to the club, we would play, we would practice and I wouldn’t really say he's been my coach but he has definitely mentored me to the game, he always gives me positives into the game because he has played so, he knows how it is when you are playing in the leader group or if I am behind and I need to catch up like he would always tell me and talk me through it so, I guess that always helps when I am playing.
How does it feel to finally win your first professional event in the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour?
It was good yeah, I was obviously wanting a win sooner or later and I was glad that it happen, I did slip up in Bombay because that was the first time, I was in the leader group leading a tournament so, for sure it did hurt when I didn’t win in Bombay but I was glad that just the following week in Pune, I had a good three days and I end up winning so, it felt good.
You have reached till the second division of the NCAA so, is the NCAA difficult or easy?
More likely honest there were tournaments where I played well and there were tournaments where I didn’t perform well however, as a whole it's very competitive so, you wanna go there by obviously giving your best, it’s not like you wanna think that its easy weather you are playing division one, two and three, I was lucky enough to play four years in D2 and I felt it’s a great experience and I wouldn’t say it's easy or hard but it’s very competitive there are lot of people out there who won it so, definitely work hard towards it.
How does it feel to have your sister playing on the same tour?
Its fun but I used to play with her when I was an amateur so, we have a difference of four and half years so, when she went to college I was still playing and when I went, she was back and now, we both are playing on the same tour and it’s a lot of fun we get to room together, travel together so, yeah, we help each other out.
What is the one thing you want to learn from her?
So, my sister has a very relaxed and calm mindset which I don’t, I am just the opposite I get hyper so, I think that is something I definitely want to learn from her and for sure apply on the golf course, I think it would help in my game and generally in life also.
Your father and your sister are golfers and you are also a golfer so, whenever you go home is the topic of conversation is about golf or strictly no golf?
Honestly, it’s a mix of everything, its like for sure if you play a tournament or we get back from practice yeah for sure, as a family we seat we discuss it but it’s not like the entire night we are going to talk about it like we try to leave that outside and together as a family and talk about other things but it’s not that our conversation is always golf or that our life revolves around golf, like its left where it supposed to be.
Do you still have some memories of the hole-in-one you made in the US Kids Championship at age 10?
Since, that’s literally the only hole-in-one I had till date so, for me I think it always puts a smile on my face and I remember it was a Par-3, downhill, I think 153 yards but I hit a 9 iron because it was super downhill, super windy and my dad was caddying for me so, I remember that day very clearly and since like I said that’s my only hole-in-one, I guess the only one I can look back to.
March 22, 2021 in Interviews