At eight, Gauri Karhade chose to make a career out of golf while watching the sport on TV.
"I want to play golf; it’s played in a very big garden and I like it," she told her parents – Sanjay and Mitali.
Seven years later, Gauri is all set to fly overseas for the first time to participate in the 10th Annual US Kid Golf European Championships at the Luffness New Golf Club in Scotland from May 31 to June 2.
Gauri will take part in the 15-18 category, the competition is played over three days, 18 holes each. In all 16 events will be held over three days; nine age group for boys and seven for girls. And budding talents from 30-plus countries play in the competition. Gauri will also compete in the one-day European Van Horn Cup on June 2.
Gauri got the invitation for the kids event in Scotland after she won The Ultimate Bangalore Challenge 2017 on January 10. She has to pay an entry fee of Rs. 30,000 though and also bear all other costs.
"Gauri’s dream is to become a pro golfer and for us, as parents, it’s our aim now to support her all the way,’’ said Sanjay, who began his career as a cricket writer. He's written a book in Marathi on Sachin Tendulkar and is a media advisor to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
In order to pursue her dreams, Gauri relocated to Bengaluru in February 2015. She is coached by Vijay Divecha, who shaped the career of Anirban Lahiri.
Gauri took the first steps after former India seamer, Karsan Ghavri told Sanjay: "Let her play. If she does well, you are lucky. If not, when she grows up, at least she will not complain that you did not allow her to play golf."
She has won many trophies; the most recent being the Best Gross in Medal Round and runner-up Trophy in the Kazi Cup at the 73rd BPGC Bombay Ladies Open Week-2017 in February.
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