The golf kits itself cost Muniappa and
Srinivas Rs.25,000 each, which they managed to wrangle from club members who went in for
brand new kits. Murthy was lucky. He was presented a brand new kit by a concerned
golfer, a leading Industrialist of Hubli who spotted the talent in the kid and sponsored
the kit worth almost Rs.45,000. While their talents are being honed with every passing
day, their purse strings are drawing tighter. "There are 30 tournaments in
a calendar year. We hardly get to play three. But we still make the cut. We are within the
top 25 ranks. If only we could play in the other tournaments." To
participate in all the 30 tournaments means expenses of 1 lakh. That’s is why
sponsorship is required. Where are we going to raise that kind of money? asks Moorthy.
"If I had sponsors who would support the expenses of tournament play, I am
confident that that I will win one day", says a hopeful Muniappa.
Their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. But there is a small flicker of hope. "The
KGA Committee has promised to look into the matter. They hope to get permission to fund at
least our travel expenses to and from the tournament venue and some pocket money. They may
declare it next week" says Srinivas.
The boys are keeping their fingers crossed. The Invitations for the Aravalli Open in
Faridabad on the 12th to the 15th of October have already reached them. After this, there
is the TBC Hindustan Times Open in Delhi on the17th till the 20th of October. Their
performance in both these tournaments will decide whether they will be selected to play in
the biggest ever Golf Championship in India - The Hero Honda Masters. The prize money here
is $200,000. Almost a crore.
Whether they’ll make it
this year to these tournaments remains to be seen. It sure looks like a rich
man’s game after all. But when we asked him if he will ever win a tournament,
Muniappa’s eyes shone like the sun’s reflection on the water on KGA’s 4th
hole. "Definite
Sir" he said, breaking into a grin. "Within two years sir. You watch."
We are watching, Muniappa. We just hope some magnanimous philanthropist is watching
too. So that a caddy’s dream of becoming a Tiger may come true.
|
