By Rahul Banerji
One-off playing partner Hitaashee Bakshi emerged champion in her age group (13-14 years) at the Hong Kong Junior Golf Championship recently.
Two years ago, Hitaashee was part of our four-ball at The Golf Foundation’s annual gala. She was then just 11 but helped make our day with not just a hole-in-one at the Classic Golf Resort’s par-3 eighth hole but also an under-par card for the round..
Blessed with a clean swing, Hitaashee was even at 11 an effortless striker of the ball. She was one of the stars of the TGF event, an annual get-together held on the sweeping, Jack Nicklaus-designed par 72 course. Hitting across a grassy bowl that leads to the green, she landed inches from the pin, and even as we started to applaud the shot, it rolled in.
Hitaashee is now part of the DLF Golf Academy Nurturing Excellence Programme.At Hong Kong, she walked away with the honours in her category while academy mates Kartik Sharma and Sunhit Bishnoi finished second and third in the 15-17 age group at Discovery Bay Golf Club.
Throughout our round at the Classic Golf Resort, her mother Sunita, was a tireless shadow. Staying in the tree-line that borders almost every fairway at the course, Sunita turned down offers to ride along with the group. “I don’t want to distract Hitaashee,” she said. “I want her to focus on her golf, not worry about how I am managing.”
Just how much of a role parents of budding sports stars play in their developing years is a saga in itself, More about this another time.
In Hong Kong, about 60 juniors from eight countries participated, six of them from the DLF Golf Academy. The championship was organised by the Hong Kong Golf Association which runs international and domestic golf events in the country including the Hong Kong Open, the city’s oldest professional event.
Said Hitaashee of her win, “The tournament was a great experience for all us and I am thankful to our coaches and staff at DLF Golf Academy who have guided us through the competition and helped us improve our game. It wouldn’t have been possible without their support.”
Added Sunita, wife of an Indian Army officer, “I am grateful to the programme for providing a platform to our kids to help unleash their potential. It’s a moment of honour for us that our daughter represented our country on international platform and has not only won the medal but everyone’s hearts too.”
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Another budding star in the horizon.Best wishes
Wonderful read. Congratulations Hitaashee and the efforts of her mum!
Very talented young lady Barua saab.
Great Going Hitaashee Bakshi! It is indeed nice to youngsters taking on the world stage! Very notable Kartik Sharma and Sunhit Bishnoi finished second and third. Kudos to the kids for bringing the country Laurels and Kudos to DLF academy for nurturing their talent! Future of Indian Golf is looking bright. So much talent in the ranks. Well written article too RB
It is great to see youngsters gaining the confidence to shine at overseas venues. Will seek to keep a close eye on their achievements. And thanks you Manoj. Do keep writing in/
Congratulations Hitashee and proud parents!
Really honoured seeing the young golfer Hitashee Bakshi being the winner in her age group..at Hong Kong ..Am sure with every passing day she is poised to be going up the ladder….Congrats to her and her proud parents..Luv n rgds..Mrs..Roma Ahuja (Golfer) and Cdr Sharan Ahuja EX GM Noida GOLF COURSE….9811078735
Hey Rahul that was a wonderful game we had with Hitashi. They normally say that a hole in one comes with luck . But I felt this girl had a great skill as she had very narrowly missed a second hole in one opportunity in the same round. I remember her mother mentioning about her tight schedule of taking both her daughters to different courses on different days of the week. Proud of the achievement of Hitashi and hats off to her mother. Just wondering how her sister is performing in her age category.
Will be talking to her mother at length about another story I have in mind. Will get some more details of the two sisters and theoir performances then. Good recall, Rajive.