Ateet Gaur loves to head to the greens

When profession turns into passion, you have a winning combination. And such is the case with Ateet Gaur, managing director, TaylorMade, south-east Asia. This stalwart in the golf equipment industry can keep gushing about golf, only to make one realise how he loves every bit of his job.

“It’s relaxing — there’s no alternative to teeing off. Golf is an interesting game. What’s best is you are competing against yourself always and want to keep setting higher standards,” he states. And to take his love for the game a notch higher, Ateet explains how a day at the greens also means quality time spent with the family. “Both my school-going daughters play golf and a day spent at the golf course, away from the hustle bustle of the city with them and my wife, is something I look forward to always,” he informs.

When he’s not busy with golf — on and off the job — Ateet does travel quite a bit. “Apart from work related travel, I make it a point to take a yearly holiday. And undoubtedly, San Diego is one of my favourite destinations. That place is all about good food, great beaches and lots of surfing. I frequent Singapore often and call it a disciplined city with some wonderful golf courses. And another place I love visiting is Bali — nothing like lying down on the beach,” he says. Among domestic destinations, his love for the sea continues. “It has to be Goa considering I love the sun, sand and sea. But I often find myself heading to Ranikhet and Nainital as well. There’s something so serene about these hill stations,” he adds.

Though a vegetarian, Ateet is a self confessed foodie. “I love to experiment with my food. In Delhi, I often head to Paranthewale Gali for some of the best street food. I also cook whenever I get time and must say, it’s a stress-buster. My specialities would definitely be rajma-chawal and kadi-chawal,” he says.

Talking of entertainment, though he doesn’t get much time to sit through a film, Ateet makes it a point not to miss any Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan film. “I prefer listening to music — Phil Collins, Bryan Adams, old Hindi songs. I’m not into fast numbers. In fact, even if it’s some lilting instrumental — shehnai by Ustad Bismillah Khan or jugalbandi by Ustad Zakir Hussain and Pandit Jasraj — I’m hooked on,” he confesses.

The tech-savvy Ateet owns the latest of all gadgets and has a wish list. “Just two things – I want to go scuba diving and bungee jumping some day,” he signs off.