After the putting contest, the 1052^nd skills at the Junior Skills Competition, organized by the Protouch Golf Academy at the Tolly Golf Centre, we caught hold of the winner and the first runner up from the Intermediate category, Shiven Kedia, and Vir Nayar. In the short chit chat session that followed, Shiven and Vir, shared their feelings after securing places in the putting contest, and their experiences at the skills competition.

Shiven and Vir are schoolmates. Thus, while one spoke, the other stood close by, prompting and mimicking at times. But above all, a great deal of companionship was noticed between the two friends who were competitors just some time before. As Vir started the conversation, Shiven handed him over his putter, and prompted him from the background to stand in style, the interview session commenced.

What are you doing on a Sunday afternoon at the academy?

Vir: Today, I came for the Junior Skills Putting Competition and then have my golf practice.

You won a prize today. How are you feeling?

Vir: I secured the position of the first runner up. I am happy, but I feel a bit sad as well.

Sad, because could not score the first position? Or some other reason?

Vir: I am sad, because I know where I was lacking. I should have been able to change that, but I couldn’t. The only area where I was lacking, I think, is my concentration. Otherwise, I could successfully win the first place.

Don’t feel sad. You hope to improve yourself before the next game, right?

Vir: I can do way better if my concentration does not lack. My coach says that I lose my focus while seeing the ball when I lift my head up. I tend not to look at the ball when I am doing my back swing. As a result, my eyes keep moving right and left, and not on the ball. As of now, this lack of concentration is beyond my control. Other than that, I am confident about my skills, and I think I will be able to secure the first position, or at least, tie at the first place.

Shiven was ready to take the podium, as soon as Vir’s turn was over.

What makes you so happy?

Shiven: Today, I came here to participate in the putting competition of Junior Skills Competition, and secured the first place. I am feeling really happy to win again, as I did in the skills competition, organized in the Academy in the last month.

What does your win make you feel?

Shiven: Happy, very happy. And satisfied as well.

What do you think makes you stand out from your opponents?

Shiven: I know I am confident enough to perform well. I know how to optimize my game and play with a calm and cool mind.

Do you think these skills competitions are helping you improve?

Shiven: These skills competitions are very useful as they help in boosting our confidence and experiences, step by step. I hope that with my confidence growing, and my skills becoming better, I will soon be able to win a full course golf tournament.

Shiven’s coach, Mr. Swapan Tung, and Vir’s coach, Mr. Sk. Hasem are of the belief that their students are putting great effort in their training and have the scope of becoming great golfers in the upcoming times, if they continue to learn bit by bit with dedication, and keep testing their knowledge by participating in such competitions.