Junior Wold Golf Champion, A Milk Man's Son :- Shubham Jaglan

"I started off by playing golf in our 'sarson ka khet'. My grandfather asked me to take up a new sport instead of obvious and much-easier choice - wrestling. I learnt golf from internet as there was no coach or mentor in our village. Seeing my interest in the game, my father took me to Madhuban golf course in Karnal." He said this to India Today after winning TaylorMade-Adidas World Junior Golf Tournament 2013. Jaglan has won over 100 domestic and international tournaments and is a recipient of the "NDTV - Emerging Player" & "Margdarshan" awards.

From Israna, near Panipat to Las Vegas & California, it has been a dream journey for him. On 19th July'15, he clinched a one stroke win at the Junior Wold Golf Championship in California and just after 5 days on 23rd July'15 he won IJGA World Stars of Junior Golf event in Las Vegas. More than 1000 participants from 45 different countries have participated in world championship and some Past champions of this tournament include Notah Begay III, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Corey Pavin, Nick Price, Craig Stadler, David Toms and Tiger Woods. 

He was born in a village Israna, near Panipat, Haryana. His father is a Milk Man, Sells Milk as profession and his family has a history of practicing Wrestling. Like everyone else, his father initially wanted him to be a wrestler.

But almighty always has something in his bag, A NRI named Kapur Singh initiated a Golf academy in his village Israna and enrolled the kids living nearby. He bought all the equipments for training and even hired a coach to train the kids. But soon their interest dropped, even the coach left the job, the academy was closed and some of the equipments were given to Shubham by the coach and he told shubham's father that boy has an extraordinary talent.

Shubham continued his practice on a small piece of land in the backyard of his house.  The Land was cleaned up by his father and converted into a green lawn with 3 holes. He used to practice his bunker shots from a cement mixer filled with sand, rehearsed chips near his angaan from a tiny grass strip with holes. He learnt much of his golf by watching experts on You Tube. 

Former golfer Nonita Lall Qureshi who has been training Shubham since he was 7 year old says, "Shubham would spend hours watching video tutorials on the computer. A lot of what he had learnt at that stage was self-taught. For someone just seven years of age, his understanding of the mechanics of golf was phenomenal,". He used to practice golf in fields on weekdays and on weekends he used to go to Karnal Golf Course on a bus to refine and test his game.

But the major decision for the family was to leave everything and move to delhi. The prime support at this stage was provided by The Golf Foundation, a charitable society formed  by golfers who want to donate to the game and help the underprivileged golfers of the country. 

Amit Luthra, former Asian Games gold medalist and Arjuna Award recipient, of The Golf Foundation says that they encouraged their family and provided them basic necessities and even a scooty to travel across in delhi. "We bought them a Hondo Brio because he had to travel with Shubham in NCR. We ensured his father and him got a US visa. And we take care of his expenses in India and abroad," says Luthra. Delhi Golf Club gave hime a 2 Lakh rupees annual scholarship and provided free playing facilities.

Nonita never forgets to point out that Shubham has a clear concept of golf being "a target sport." "Once his drive was just five yards off target and I said, good shot. He said, maam, how can you call that a good shot. He is focused on accuracy and hugely demanding on himself."

Whole Indian Media compares him to Tiger Woods but he states Seve Ballesteros and Gary Player among his idols. He adds Sir APJ Abdul Kalam's words:

"A dream isn't which you see in sleep, but it is something which doesn't let you sleep" 

The best part is his father says,"Shubam sent an iPhone for me from the US and an iPad. I never dreamt of such things. I didn’t know about technology but he told me and pressurised me to operate it. I now have a Facebook account and I manage Whatsapp too. He sends me pictures from US and I also reply him back. He also told me how to operate it. Honestly, I am living the moment."

Tournament director for World Stars, Marty LaRoche, who handed over the winning trophy to Shubham added "There were 360 kids who have participated from 34 countries. Shubham is a winner. But the best thing I liked about him is that he is a better person than a golfer. That is why he is on the top."

Liked the Article - "Like" An Arrogant Writer on Facebook & Follow me on Google+. Also, Share it with your friends, By simply clicking on the tabs below...
Receive Latest Update via Email: Just Drop Your Mail under "Receive Updates via Email" on the Right Sidebar and Then Click on the the 'Confirmation Link' sent on your Email ID, to confirm your subscription.