It is no secret that golf in India is considered an elitist sport. It is an expensive sport to play with equipment being almost prohibitively priced. In addition access to golfing facilities in most cities of India are restricted to only members of ‘Golf Clubs’ though pay and play facilities are available the fees are at times prohibitively high.
Despite this golf in India has been witness to some incredible stories of transformation. Caddies (people who carry bags for players) have now gone on to become stars on the Indian Professional Golf circuit. Many of these caddies have no formal education and for a few caddying has saved them from getting into the wrong crowd and going down a dark path of self-destruction and abuse.
One such story is of Chikkarangappa of Bangalore. He is the son of a greens keeper at Eagleton in Bangalore and now plays professional golf on the Asian Tour. Another similar story is of Rashid Khan, currently one of India’s top professional golfers; previously he was employed at the Delhi Golf Club as caddie.
However, recently a very unfortunate incident occurred where Rashid Khan was denied entry to the Delhi Golf Club (a club he’s grown up on) based on his past behavior and the fact that he is not a member of the club.
It is my belief that institutions like the Delhi Golf Club in Delhi, Karnataka Golf Association in Bangalore, Royal Calcutta Golf Club in Kolkatta, have a responsibility to the game and players that goes beyond what would otherwise be termed ‘acceptable’ for a club. These golf clubs are not just golfing clubs, they are pillars for the game in India, where the sport is already so fragile. In India they represent the elite of golf clubs and if these golf clubs do not champion the cause of underprivileged golfers who will?
When Caddy turned professional golfer, C. Munniappa won the Indian Open, the Karnataka Golf Association took the unprecedented step of awarding him honorary membership to the club. The same happened to Chikkarangappa at Eagleton. These individuals and their stories should be regaled for all to see, it is the story of transformation especially in a sport where we have few local superhero’s.
It is not about the prize, but what counts far more is the example that a gesture like this sets. It signifies that we are ready to rise above petty squabbles and recognize true talent from anywhere it may come from. Unlike other countries, some sports in India are forced to beg for recognition, access even acceptability. When reactions like this are publicized, it makes you wonder how these sports can even develop? Let us celebrate our hero’s aka professionals. Lets give them the credit and respect they deserve. It is these individuals who are going to inspire future generations to take up the sport and they need to be nutured and protected.
