US Kids Golf debut season ends with new annual events on the cards

By Rahul Banerji

Ramayush Ray of Kolkata and Jai Bahl of Delhi were involved in a photo-finish in the boys 13-14 years section with both tied on 3-over par scores before the former sealed his win on the green in the final leg of the U.S. Kids Golf India Tour at the Classic Golf and Country Club near Gurgaon earlier this week.

Anshul Kabthiyal finished third, one shot behind Ray and Bahl.

Despite conditions being on the tougher side with the sun playing hide and seek a stiff breeze blowing throughout the day, 96 young golfers lined up at the Super Finals of the debut season of the Tour.

The finals also carried double points as participants sought to ensure their qualification berths at the major U.S. Kids Championships held around the world, the World Championship, European Championship and Teen World Championship.

Close battles

Kolkata boys Kaushal Bagrodia and Joysurjo Dey finished first and second in the 15-18 boys category with scores of 76 and 77 respectively, while Arshvant Srivastava continued to show good form to finish second in the boys-9 category with a score of 79 behind the disciplined Kanav Chauhan, who topped with a score of 75.

Jujjhar Singh played some good golf on the challenging Jack Nicklaus designed Classic Golf & Country Club to win the Boys-12 with an even par score.

In the girls events, Ragini Navet topped the category 12-14 with a 6-over par card while Serena Vikram Singh in category 15-18 won her event with a 7-over card. Zara Anand in the category 10-11 girls topped her group with a 3-over par round.

New events

U.S. Kids Golf India, which ran over the last two months across six cities, has also announced the staging of the U.S. Kids Indian Junior Masters and U.S. Kids Asian Junior Masters from next season. Said Rajesh Srivastava, president of the organising body, “The tour got unprecedented response from kids, parents and the golf community and exceeded expectations.

“We are excited to announce that U.S. Kids Golf India will hold two new annual events from the next season, the U.S. Kids Indian Junior Masters and U.S. Kids Asian Junior Masters, apart from the local tour. We are committed to make the new season bigger and better.”

Added tournament director Romit Bose, “We have found 13 junior world champions. The way the tournament has been conducted is world-class. We will now aim for higher goals and look to produce more champion golfers.”

Past cricketers Anshuman Gaekwad and Rajkumar Sharma, who attended the Super Finals, took time to share their inputs and experiences with the young golfers. Former India opener and coach Gaekwad talked about his time in the India dressing room and what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

Sharma, a former Ranji Trophy player and better known as India captain Virat Kohli’s coach said there was no substitute for hard work. 

“Virat is talented, God’s gift you can say, but talent alone can get you nowhere, the work ethic has to be in place. This has been Virat’s forte. Rain or shine, he never missed training and his success is a result of the toil he’s put in.”

Also read: Fourth US Kids Golf title for Arshvant Srivastava