 |
| Sharmila Nicollet...... walking - photo: Golf Digest Online |
Just 16 at the time, the talented Bangalore beauty impressed Davies who told reporters, "I played with this 16-year-old girl and I can say from my experience she has the potential to become a really good player".
Four years later Nicollet is 20, and she'll have "the whole of India" behind her as she enters the third round of the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School tomorrow in a three-way tie for second... just one shot behind leader, Jodi Ewart (England).
The 90-hole Q-School Final is being played on the two world-class courses at La Manga Club, in Murcia, Spain.
Golf is now the fastest growing sport in India... a country where cricket is revered... and to have this charismatic young golfer playing in global competitions at the highest level will surely be an inspiration for other Indian women who aspire to play the game... either recreationally or professionally.
Oh, and FYI, if you're into following professional golfers on Twitter, @MissNicollet 's tweets are often remarkably
She is not the first Indian player that has been on tour. Simi Mehra was on the LPGA and Ladies European tour.. and I think there was another one. Know Simi from playing with her on tour. Amazing player
ReplyDelete@CassieKirkland
I went back to India a couple of months ago for the first time in over a decade and was surprised by how much interest in golf had grown. Cricket is still the most popular sport but there now programs for juniors and you see real interest on the part of young people. Unfortunately, There's still very little development (that I could see) that doesn't revolve around luxury real estate projects.
ReplyDelete@CassieKirkland Oh yes, Simi Mehra! I know she had some injury issues but will hopefully be back to her big-hitting self in 2012. Sharmila dropped down to T11 today in rough weather but is hoping to regain her lost ground in the final two rounds.
ReplyDeleteKTJ I heard that with golf back in the Olymics, the Indian government made a commitment to create driving ranges in every city. That's one way to open the game up to a wider audience, so hopefully it's true. :)
I'm thinking that Lexi Thompson will be where Sharmila is in a few months. They are both very talented.
ReplyDeleteI believe Lexi has won a couple of times already, hasn't she? In any case they're both exceptionally talented, no doubt about that, and the amount of work these ladies (and all tour players) put into their games is underestimated.
ReplyDeleteShe is just GREAT !!!
ReplyDeleteBUT .... she should wear some of the exclusive golf jewelry from jan-d-golf.com .........