Kapil Dev the cricketer will now also be known as Kapil Dev the golfer.
Having nursed a secret ambition to represent India at golf, the former India captain achieved his “dream” when he was picked along with Rishi Narain and Amit Luthra to represent India at the Asia Pacific Senior 2018 to be held at the Tom Watson Golf Club in Miyazaki, Japan from October 17 to 19.
The tournament is for golfers above 55 and Kapil was obviously “excited” at making the grade. “I am happy. Actually I feel proud because I am going to represent India. It is a great feeling. Not quite different from the time I was picked to tour Pakistan (in 1978) as part of the Indian cricket team,” a delighted Kapil told
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A regular at the Delhi Golf Club, Kapil developed a liking for the sport once he stopped playing active cricket. “I loved football when I was still playing cricket but golf became a passion. And then an addiction really. Access to the DGC added to my love for golf,” said Kapil.
Cricket was a challenge. Making runs and scalping batsmen. Golf, however, was a bigger challenge.
“At golf, you are challenging yourself. You are constantly trying to push your limits, looking to improve after every round. Cricket was different. You had to depend on your teammates.
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“You may bowl a decent ball but someone may drop a catch. Or you may get run out because of your partner’s fault. You are depending on someone in cricket. But you are on your own in golf.”
Getting to represent India again has got Kapil looking at giving his best. “I know I am a natural athlete and the hand-eye coordination helped me become a good golfer. I had the cricket muscle which was good for golf too. I have played some good rounds at various points in my golfing journey but this was special. Playing good rounds for three consecutive days. It proved that my golf was not a fluke.”
Hole in One ever? “I have done it four times,” Kapil exclaimed. Thrice at the DGC and once at the Willingdon Golf Club in Mumbai.