Sultanas of swing
Golf has often been called a game of the elite because of the huge expenses needed for its infrastructure and equipment. This has kept golf away from the reach of the common man. On the other hand, many describe it as an acronym for Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden. Women golfers, due to their gender, and caddies, due to their class, have faced this bias at one time or the other.
Sunil Narula checks out how they have fared despite the odds

Chandigarh’s Saaniya Sharma is doing well on the ladies’ circuit

Women have faced discrimination since centuries in almost every field. Sports are no exception — whether it is cricket or golf.

Sharmila Nicollet is regarded as a talented youngster to have made the shift to pro ranks

India’s top pro golfers in the men’s category earn a huge amount of money, though the same cannot be said about our women golfers. They have to slug it out on their own without much support from the sponsors. Some big corporate houses are beginning to show interest in women’s golf in India, but still a lot more needs to be done for it to come on a par with the men’s golf.

"The conditions were the same with men’s golf in the beginning. But it is doing exceptionally well, whether in terms of prize money or international exposure. So, slowly it will all come together in women’s golf as well. Right now, there are just 10 to 12 top women golfers in India. But gradually the number will increase and so will the prize money," feels Jesse Grewal, Director of the Chandigarh-based National Golf Academy.

At present, the fight for the top slot is among three or four top players. Sharmila Nicollet, 20-year-old golfer from Bangalore, leads the pack. She is regarded as one of the most talented youngsters to have made the shift from amateur to pro ranks. `A0Talking about her game, she says, "I have spent lot of time on training, especially working on my swing and change of equipment.".

Since coming on board the Ladies Asian Golf Tour after turning professional, Sharmila believes that she still has a long way to go to reach the top. "I’m a professional but I’m not a specialist yet, there is still a lot more to do to move up to the elite status, especially where my mental approach and course management is concerned," says Sharmila, who is pursuing a degree in psychology.

Preetinder (R) and Arshia Singh are budding golfers from Chandigarh

Last year, in various domestic tournaments, Sharmila had an impressive record of winning three events, finishing runner-up once and a third-place in another. "I’m in no hurry. I want to move up slowly. I don’t wish to take any short-cuts," adds the young golfer.

Another promising golfer, close on Sharmila’s heels, is Chandigarh’s Saaniya Sharma. Saaniya’s father is an Army officer. Saaniya, who is passionate about her game, spends most of her time practising on the Shiwalik Golf Course in Chandimandir and also on the CGA Golf Range in Chandigarh.

Kolkata-based Simi Mehra (38) is another veteran professional golfer, who plays on the Indian circuit once in a while. She has won many titles on the women’s tour and was the first Indian woman to play on the US-based Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

The story of Indian women’s golf cannot be completed without a mention of Irina Brar and Parinita Grewal, both from Chandigarh. They were among the first few women to make it to the top. At present, quite a few more young players are joining the ranks.

Shalini Malik, Sanam Merchant, Mayali Talwar, Shruti Khanna and Seema Sobti have all performed creditably on the ladies circuit in India in the past.

Women’s professional golf is in its nascent stage in the country and sponsors Hero Honda hope their support will help it grow in popularity and it will become one of the leading sports in India.

The growth of women’s professional golf has seen many sportswomen from other disciplines shift to golf in big way. Maharastra’s Mita Gawande, a former gymnast, who has been playing the national amateur ladies golf circuit, has turned pro, as has Priya Puri, a former basketball player. The two took to golf a little over two years ago and have now turned professional.

Nalini Singh is another promising young pro, who has played well on the circuit, and is seen as a player with a lot of potential.