A candid chat with Indian cricket’s new star.
Karun Nair rose to fame courtesy his mammoth triple century (unbeaten 303) during the fifth Test against England last year. Not many know though that the stylish right hand batsman known for his cover drives also loves to spend time on the golf course.
Karun, who loves playing different sports, got the opportunity to play golf along with the foreign players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year. He credits his friend Karan Singhvi, an avid golfer, for helping him better his skills and for accompanying him to different golf courses.
It’s been just a few months since Karun was introduced to the sport and he is certainly enjoying his time on the fairways. We caught up with him playing the 9th edition of the Cornerstone Cup Karnataka Golf Festival. The tournament also doubles up as the official qualifier for the World Amateur Golfers Championship (WAGC).
The Karnataka batsman may not have won in his handicap category but he was delighted with the experience. “I enjoyed myself out there. Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) is one of the best courses in India and I love playing here. The tournament was very well organised. I would like to thank the organisers for inviting me and I would also like to congratulate everyone involved in organising this tournament.”
His love for the greens has been on the rise. “In a short period of time I got addicted to golf and whenever I am not playing cricket I tend to visit a course and play golf. Playing golf takes my mind away from the game and it relaxes me. I enjoy playing it and I am looking forward to improving my golf skills.”
On being quizzed if more cricketers like him would take up golf and if he thought this was the best way to promote the sport in the country, Karun went on to say, “I think that tournaments like these (Cornerstone Cup Karnataka Golf Festival) organised in the country will lead to more awareness. The golfing facilities in the country can go a notch higher. I don’t think us cricketers playing will make too much of a difference but I think more tournaments like the Cornerstone Cup will help in growing the game of golf in India.”
It was exciting to see Karun swinging a club and we hope he continues to make great strides on the golf course as well as the cricket field.
(Read more in the November issue of Golf Digest India. Download here.)