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Children at a golf training session in Bangalore.

BANGALORE, April 17

A CRAZE for golf, an irrepressible routine among wealthy corporate executives, has gripped tiny tots in the city.

The good golf courses frequented by prominent members of various clubs have, however, been out of bounds for children. Besides, golf is identified as a game for the grown-ups, and patronised by the middle-aged and the elders after retirement.

No longer! For a beginning has been made to popularise the game among the children and the Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) has lent its helping hand to the initiative of Asia Junior Golf Academy (AJGA), Singapore, which along with the KGA has launched a training programme for children from age five to 17.

Tiny tots are put through the paces in the artful game of measuring `putting greens' and `fairway' on way to becoming young champions. And the effort has made an instant breakthrough. Three young golfers, who joined the training programme, have earned the distinction of being selected for the Junior World Masters Championship to be held in Sarawak, Malaysia, later this month.

While this may be a good beginning for the joint efforts of AJGA and KGA, their endeavour depends on the sustenance of the interest and trainees' affordability.

Says Mr Rick Jones, Director of Golf, AJGA " the fee is not very high. But being a costly game sponsorship from leading sportswear companies could make the venture more attractive."

Mr Jones, who flew down from Singapore to launch the training project along with KGA, which has extended its golf course for the purpose, said that sponsoring school children and giving discounts to golf sets and wears to students could be great relief to the trainees.

Was AJGA planning to bring Tiger Woods, the sensational golfer from US?

"We will try. Woods keeps travelling around the globe. We will see if we can squeeze his programme via India,'' said Mr Young.

SJGA, which has sponsored the three young golfers from Bangalore— Pritam Haridas, Samarth S. Ghorphade and Ayyappa Vemulkar— all aged 11, sees a bright prospect in India for young golfers.

Because of lack of access to golf courses, as clubs do not give membership to children, this programme could benefit them, Mr Jones said, adding that SJGA would be talking to golf clubs in other parts of the country for promoting the training project.

Golf can provide a full time career, as a professional player or a trainer. It can still be a passport to students wishing to take up higher studies as more than 250 golf scholarships are going without takers in the US, according to Mr Jones.

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