By Rahul Banerji
One of India’s top junior golfers, Arjun Bhati, is on an extended itinerary of international events starting with the ongoing Malaysia Amateur Championship (June 19 to 23), followed by the Singapore Junior Open from June 24 to 28.
Bhati, a Jaypee IGPN Golf Academy student will represent India at the European Junior Masters International Golf Championship in the Czech Republic from July 23 to 28.
He is also scheduled play the IMG Junior Golf World Championship in San Diego, USA from July 8 to 12 and the FCG Callaway Junior Golf World Championship in California from July 14 to 18.
Bhati, no. 2 in the IGU junior B category boys order of merit, was selected on the basis of his consistent performance over the last two years, his coach Monish Bindra said.
Hard work
Bindra, who runs the Japyee IGPN Golf Academy has been working with Bhati since June of 2015, and fitness instructor Sandeep Parihar put the Noida-based teenager through an intensive training and fitness regime ahead of his departure for Malaysia and Singapore.
“In preparing for these international events, we focused on playing the game on his strengths, including working on a higher and softer ball flight based on the course inputs where he will be playing,” Bindra said.
“Arjun’s short game looks sharp and good after some improvements on his putting and positive reinforcement. He is looking stronger, thinking better and confident of his ball striking.
“He did not get much time to rest in the past few days, as he knew how important it was to get prepared for a five-week long tour. To build up his fitness, Arjun spent long hours in the gym working on his core strength and learning to use ground forces,” Bindra said.
As part of the work put in for the intensive preparation, Bindra and Parihar spent time with Arjun in the gym explaining swing mechanics and then translating it into specific moves that needs to be worked on for current improvement.
Bindra added, “Arjun has started paying more attention to his warm up and cool down routines, which are important for any top-level athlete.”
Olympic dream
Bhati shot to national attention with his win at last year’s U.S. Kids Golf event for 14 years boys in Malaysia last year – his second such title – and the stated aim is to win an Olympic gold for India.
“I haven’t decided on when I want to turn professional but that is my end goal. I know my future is in golf,” he was quoted as saying earlier this year.
“My only target is to be the number one golfer in the world and represent India at the Olympics.”
Arjun idolises Tiger Woods and it is his dream to play alongside the 16-time major winner at least once in his life. Shubhankar Sharma is his other golf hero.
Arjun has been recently adopted by India cricket captain Virat Kohli’s foundation that helps young sporting talent and will take care of his expenses to help further his growth, including international tours and visits.
Also read: Arjun Bhati tops Kid World Golf event in Malaysia