Golden eagles Golf tees off

Hyderabad: The fourth season of the Krishnapatnam Port Golden Eagles Golf Championship got under way at Boulder Hills here on Saturday. Legendary cricketers Kapil Dev and Brian Lara also took part in the championship along with other famous golfers around the globe. The 12-time women’s golf champion Sharmila Nicollet was also present on the occasion to back the tournament.

Speaking on the occasion, former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev said, “Golf is emerging in a big way in India and it’s indeed the right time that we endorse and support young, talented golfers to pursue their passion for golfing.”

Former Caribbean batsman and skipper Brian Lara expressed his feelings saying that he is excited to play in India after a period of two years.

“I am very happy to be here in Hyderabad today. I’ve been involved in the Golden Eagles tournament in Bangalore and now in Hyderabad. It’s a wonderful way for everyone to connect. I am looking forward to my golf today. I have played once before a couple of years ago. I came with my friends to Hyderabad to play golf. I look forward to participating in today’s event and having a wonderful evening,” he said.

Brian said that Kapil is a much better golfer than him and he keeps giving him tips on how to improve his game.

“Kapil is a much better golfer than me. I remember playing in a tournament and Kapil was in my team in Dubai. We were playing USA vs. ROW. There was an American guy who was playing really well and I told Kapil that he must be a professional and not an amateur golfer. Later, Kapil defeated that guy. He is that good. We became really good friends because of golf. I have huge respect for him,” Lara said.

Brian can play golf with both right and left hand but over the years he has been playing with his right hand. He plans to change to left since it is his natural side.

“Naturally I played left handed. I changed to right because I thought that it can affect my cricket. I didn’t want that. So I became right handed.”