After they both are through with competing against each other on the golf course, Shahana Paravantavida will possibly be worried about her school homework and Lolly Kamat is likely to call her accountant to keep a tab on her pension savings.
Though separated by 65 years, nine-year-old Shahana and 74-year-old Lolly have one thing in common: their passion for golf. The youngest and the oldest competitors of the BPGC Open Ladies amateur golf championship will be taking on each other in the Bronze Division when the tournament tees off on January 4 at the club’s premises.
While Shahana has been playing golf for only three years, Lolly is a veteran with more than 50 years of experience under her belt. For both, it started off as a hobby and later, their love for the game made them to take part at the competitive level.
With her father being the general manager of Doral golf resort in Florida, Shahana gradually developed interest towards the sport. For her it was a game for relaxation which suited with her peaceful nature.
Residing in Florida, she took part in several golf tournaments, including the US Kids World Championship in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Shahana won the First Tee Miami DAGA in 2009 and the US Kids Spring tournament in 2010. She shifted to Pune only six months back but has already proved her worth in the Indian subcontinent.
A Class IV student of Pune’s Mercedes Benz International School, Shahana finished second in the bronze division of the recently concluded Pune Ladies Open. When asked about the differences in the playing surface, she said, “In India, I find it easy to play as the grass is soft when compared to that of Florida. The ladies’ tournaments are pretty competitive but the junior ones are fairly easy.”
Lolly, on the other hand, took to golf when her friends forced her to take up a hobby. Soon, golf became her first love. She has won more than 300 prizes so far and taken part in hundreds of tournament but her love and passion for the game are still intact. “I am playing in the bronze division as my handicap has gone up due to age. There was a time when I used to beat even men with a handicap of 14. I also bagged the golfer of the year award in Mumbai for two consecutive years,” said Lolly.
On being asked about her nine-year-old opponent, she said, “Playing against such young talents always makes me feel young. I walk as fast as them and play with the same determination. I feel years younger and it shows on my face. They are just children but they have enormous skills. I am looking forward for a great game in the
tournament.”
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