"I love challenges and I want to be the best in the world"

They all start young. That is one thing common to almost all sports persons. Parnita Garewal, our local celebrity is just eighteen and is In...

They all start young. That is one thing common to almost all sports persons. Parnita Garewal, our local celebrity is just eighteen and is India’s number one golfer. She was all excited after winning the sixth Punjab Open Amateur Ladies Golf Championship held recently. And had a reason to be, as out of the best four cards during the championship, Parnita had the distinction of winning two. She told us all about her success story.“I started when I was eleven years old, at that time I was in class six. And the credit of introducing me to the game goes to my mother. She played golf herself and took me along. In fact, she was my first coach, and is the person responsible for my success”.

But was she always interested in sports or other games, or was it only golf that she took a fancy to? “Well, I did play basketball and tennis, but they were really no fun. But when I started playing golf, I knew instinctively that this was the game for me. No, that is an understatement, I got addicted to it. But, you will never know unless you play yourself. It is a faboulous game, though low paced it is almost rhythmic.” Quite a poetic angle to a game which is sometimes referred as `a good walk spoilt’.

But how about her studies and her achievement as a student? “Studies? I hated school and academics. I believe, I never had a flair for them. And golf was such a great opportunity to get away from the stifling atmosphere of school. No, I was not a bad student, she defends herself laughing. I always managed a good 70 per cent, which is great isn’t it?” Of course, because in India it is not easy to break away from the traditional education system, no matter how successful a sports-person you are.

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Parnita continues to do her graduation through correspondence. But does she not miss college life, friends, ghedi, bunking classes to see movies? “No I don’t miss college life. I don’t think I would have ever wanted to go to college. As far as friends are concerned, I have a few close friends with whom I party. I used to go for ghedis a year or two back, but now I have crossed that age and passed that phase”.

Well, she definitely passed it `young’. “No, I am a normal youngster, and I love going to discos, especially now, as they are so many of them. I also love eating out especially when I have played well”.

But is anyone in her family a sports-person? “No, my mother did play but just for fun. My sister Tanya used to accompany me and my mother for the golf sessions and got really interested. She is a natural and wonderful player. She is right now playing at the club level but she definitely has a lot of potential.” Another one in the making.

How does she feel when she is playing outside Chandigarh? “Telling you frankly, Chandigarh is the best place to play in as far as golf is concerned. There is not too much of a rush and you have a lot of space and chance to practice. Also the weather is perfect for golf. But I also enjoy playing outside , though my mother always accompanies me when I play outside Chandigarh.

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What does she do to be fit and healthy for the tournaments as keeping fit is the prime requirement for playing well. Also, doesn’t’t it get too tiring and hectic for her? “No, it is not very hectic as I play around ten tournaments in the year, which is not too much. And as far as my fitness regime is concerned I am very particular about that. I am into yoga and physical training sessions. I also practice a lot and I enjoy exercising. Yoga and exercise helps me to be a focussed individual, which is very important to excel in this game. And as far as my food is concerned, these days I am following the `Fit for life diet’, which is basically in simpler words combining your meals properly i.e proteins, carbohydrates, fats etc. and taking a lot of fruits and juices. I am also a vegetarian and follow this fit for life diet to keep me in shape and give me a lot of energy”. Secrets of good health revealed!

How does she feel about the status and popularity of golf in India? “Golf has not reached the masses as yet. Cricket is still the baby of the Indian spectators, with cricketers being hero worshipped. But that is not very hard to understand, it has been the game of, by and for the people since long now. But golf in India is definitely improving. More youngsters are getting into the game, there are a number of tournaments and sponsors now and importantly there is also a lot of money in the game. All these factors were missing before”.

So now that she has achieved so much so young, what are her plans for the future and when is she turning professional?

I will turn professional as soon as I find a good sponsor. Golf is expensive, and so is the equipment, especially when you’re playing out of town and also internationally. And to excel you have to go international after a certain stage. I have also been recruited by the Gas Authority of India as a golfer, for which I am thankful to them.

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An office is being set up and here and I am absolutely excited about it. But one thing that I am truly looking forward to are the Asian games which are to be held in December. This is the first time that a team for golf will be sent. I want to win for my country and will put in my best.” And we definitely need the best. And what after that? “I hope to turn pro soon and play in the US. It is the most challenging place to play in, and I love challenges”.