Promising amateur golfer Prakhar Asawa aims for the skies

JAIPUR: Golf is an individual sport but it gets lonely if you come from Rajasthan . The system, infrastructure and competition in the state has nothing much to offer, but local boy Prakhar Asawa has carved out a reputation among the country’s upcoming golfers and has eyes fixed on turning professional by 2021.

“My next goal is turning professional hopefully next year. I am doubtful that I will get any amateur events to play this year, so I am preparing for 2021 as of now,” said the 22-year-old, who soared to the fifth spot on the Indian Golf Union’s (IGU) Gentlemen Merit List before countrywide lockdown was imposed on March 25.

In December last year, Prakhar sailed into his maiden final of the 119th All India Amateur Championship in Bengaluru, but he lost to Aryan Roopa Anand in a 36-hole affair.

“Competition in amateur golf in our country has risen sharply over the past couple of years. To have a chance to win an amateur event, you have to play par or better on all four days of the competition; and in the 119th All India Amateur (Championship), which is the biggest event on the amateur calendar, I stood second. It (the tournament) also sees participation from foreigners,” the Jaipur golfer elaborated.

Before the Covid-19 outbreak engulfed the entire world, a few national outings — in Noida, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and five other championships after October — were lined up, but plans went awry.

“Besides, there were bright chances of representing the Indian men’s team in the international tournaments, which also stand cancelled as of now. Nothing much can be done about it, so I am focusing on training hard to achieve bigger things, whenever the opportunity to play arrives,” said the youngster.

During the lockdown, Prakhar used the practice net in his backyard to improve his golf swing. But now, he is back on the fairway.

“I go to the Rambagh Golf Club early in the morning, around 6:30 am. I’m there till 10:30 am. I work out on alternate days. When I am not working out, I am at the course from 2-7 pm. I practise various skills, including long game, irons accuracy, chips/pitches and putting. The Rambagh Golf Club offers me full support in providing a good practice environment,” said the Tiger Woods fan.

Having traveled a lot for golf assignments, Prakhar feels Rajasthan lacks facilities in comparison to Delhi, Chandigarh, Bengaluru and Kolkata.