"On the golf course, one shows
how tough one can be"

PEOPLE in the Chandigarh Golf Club have been seeing Parnita Garewal now for close to eight years, practising every day tirelessly. Her devotion, according to many, has been tremendous. For people who think golf is a gentlemen’s leisurely game, this burning ambition to reach the top is disquieting and as such she has been called an arrogant super-brat. Parnita, however, has carried on regardless .Much more mature and at peace with herself now, Parnita is ready to come to terms with the establishment though she has had her share of pow-wows. A "high-strung" person (in her own word), she does not want to be the second-best. She is blossoming into a fine lady who now "talks while playing to ward off tension."

Parnita is being sponsored by a public sector undertaking. The money is a big help. Her mother, Harsimran Garewal, has stood by her daughter like a rock. She has been her guide, caddy, co-player, mentor, and philospher.

Belu Maheshwari met Parnita a couple of times to piece together how an high-achieving teenager’s mind works. The changes in Parnita over the years are wholesome. Parnita is much more mature than her 18 years. With success, a more rounded personality has developed. Excerpts:

How does the crown of being number one sit on you?

I feel at peace. I am happy, but not smug. In a lifetime it is just a small achievement. I have to go way ahead and for that I have to keep my head firmly on my shoulders. I have worked to be where I am. I do not keep thinking about it, or worrying how long I will be number one. I like to live in the present.

What would you attribute your success to?

I started playing golf when I was 11-years-old. From day one, I got addicted to it and wanted to be on the competitive side and not play merely for pleasure. I enjoy the long hours on the greens and the sun does not daunt me. I think my success is because of my mother’s belief in me, her tenacity in providing me the facilities to play and my love for the game.

Do you feel reaching the top is a necessity?

I have a very supportive family. My mother, in the initial years, was always with me. Even now she walks with me during the tournaments, goes on tours. All this means sacrifice. If you want to achieve and attain the heights, the family’s support is essential. Golf is an expensive game, you cannot even start it without family support.

Parents who push their children only towards studies, even if they are disinterested and have a potential to excel in other fields, do a disservice to their child.

What about your studies? Do you believe formal education is necessary for a sportsperson?

Education is necessary to get along in the world. I was never fond of school or studies, but I did get an easy 70 per cent and finished my plus 2. I am doing graduation by correspondence. Education is important for getting sponsors and they do see your CV while you try for a job. Abroad, perhaps schooling is enough but it is not so in India. A degree is definitely needed because of people’s mindset.

Do you think you have missed out on a normal childhood?

What is a normal childhood? Is it only whiling away your time with friends, watching TV or films? I was very close to my paternal grandparents. I was a tomboy, who had her fair share of fights with a younger sister and brother and yet the bonding is strong. I played hide-and-seek and with dolls. I am fond of seeing movies and eating out. I took to a sport in right earnest and I enjoy playing it and want to excel in it. Abroad, children start when they are much younger. To be obsessed is not abnormal.

What are your future plans?

I want to turn pro to sustain myself. Since this is not possible in India, I will have to shift abroad. I want to devote my life to golf. It is the only game which one can play throughout one’s life.

What do you think of the state of women’s golf in India?

Golf is confined to a few cities in India. Men’s golf is coming of age now. We have some outstanding players like Jeev Milkha Singh, Atwal, Jyoti Randhawa who are of international standards. Ladies golf is still in its infancy. We need at least 50 more women golfers of a high calibre to generate more interest in the game.

Are the golf courses in India of international standards?

Our golf courses are okay but the facilities are not of international standards. The best one is Classic Golf Resort near Gurgaon, where facilities are good.

Where have you played?

I have been playing throughout the country for quite a few years. The circuit starts with Madras in August. After that we play in Chandigarh in October, followed by the Northern India Ladies Golf in Delhi. In November we play inBombay, Calcutta and the season ends in Delhi.

I have played in most South-East Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore. I want to play in America and Europe. Since we have not reached their level, our team is not sent to these countries.

What type of people do you relate to?

Basically, I am a loner. I did not have a best friend in school. I relate to simple people who are not too rigid or finicky. People who are not touchy about small things. I can relate to people who are casual and help me to relax because I am a high-strung person. With such people I do not have to mind my Ps and Qs.

What are the other hobbies that you pursue?Do you like dressing up?

I love watching movies, my favourite hero these days is Shah Rukh Khan, before that it was Salman Khan. I love listening to the latest pop albums. Though most of the time I am in my shorts like any teenager, I like jazzy clothes — anything which looks smart and modern. After winning the Punjab Open Amateur Ladies Golf Championship held in Chandigarh, I tried to wear a salwar kameez to please the older women.

What do you think of the competition in women’s golf?

There are a couple of girls who are good but I feel my competitors are happy with very little. Most are quite laid-back. I have not come across any one with a burning desire to succeed at all cost.

How would you describe yourself as a person?

I try to figure out my strengths and weaknesses. My strength is that I believe in myself and still want to learn and improve as I am not perfect. I have a lot of perseverance.

My weakness is that people think I am arrogant.This is not correct. I am slightly indifferent to people and I tend to be competitive at times.

Why do you think having a cut-throat attitude is a weakness? Is this not a necessity in sports?

All my ambitions are tied to the game. I am competitive and love challenges. Being ambitious is considered a negative emotion here. You are made to feel it is a crime. If you show a cut-throat attitude, it is considered a weakness. I feel that it is the lack of the killer instinct in sports that has kept us down internationally. Frankly, I am a little confused about whether it is good to have the killer instinct or not. I tend to become cut-throat off the course which I don’t think is good. On the course it is a necessity to have the cutting edge. If one does not believe in being cut-throat and competitive, an element of dullness creeps in. One is not on the golf course to show what a nice person one is but how tough one can be.

Does playing golf give you enough exercise?

No. To be hundred per cent fit for tournaments I follow a fitness routine. I am into yoga and physical training sessions. I exercise daily and follow a "fit for life diet". This diet has proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fruits, juices etc in the right proportions.

Is it easy to get sponsors for golf?

It is not that difficult if you are among the top. You get employed either byPSUs or by companies. However, you have to be consistently good over a period of time for them to show an interest in you.