Bangalore, September 24: At 17, Akash Srinivasan is an expert at a round of 18.
A student of the Jain College of Commerce on Bannerghatta Road, this young golfer has won golf tournaments at the national and international level — he has over 40 trophies and medals to display — and has also competed with professional golfers such as Anirban Lahiri, Jyothi Randhawa and Peter Hanson at the Pro-Am Golf Tournament.
Inspired by his father, Akash picked up the sport at just eight years. He tasted his first victory at the junior golf tournament organised by Eagleton golf resort. By the age of 10, he had won the all-India championship and the southern India championship organised by the Indian Golf Union.
“Many believe that golf is an old man’s game and a waste of time. Only players know that it is very challenging, demanding attention, concentration, physical fitness and perseverance. It must be played with honesty,” says Akash. It may be an expensive sport, and not necessarily as fast as some others, but he believes it comes with its own benefits. It helps one develop patience, mental strength and endurance. And, he says, it allows one to travel to new places.
It takes practice
Akash has been able to fit in his passion for the game with education and other pursuits. He believes it is important to get a degree.
Practice makes perfect is a simple philosophy he goes by. His skill and confidence comes from three hours of practice every day, and an exercise regimen five days a week.
It helps that his mother is his fitness instructor and a golf enthusiast. “Watching the game is a feast for the eyes and a fine opportunity for the whole family to come together,” she says.
Akash dreams to one day play against his role model, Tiger Woods. But he says he hasn’t started thinking about international tournaments yet; “I want to be among the top five players at the national level before I start to think about international tournaments.”
