India’s No. 4 Pro Golfer, hit a quartet on the Women’s Golfing Association of India, along with the infamous hole-in-one she hit to start the 2015 season. But she’s hiding a lot more than her A-Game inside that golf kit she lugs around. Read on to know all the antics she has up her stylish sleeves!
How does it feel, four years as a pro, and being a millionaire already?
(Laughing) My focus is really not the money, that's just incidental. I only want to go out there and give it my best every single day.
You began this season with was a hole in one. Great omen, eh?
Well it's always nice to get these little return gifts from the course and the game!
What's your game plan for the 2015 season? Any specific areas of your game that you are working on?
I'm working on getting stronger, putting on some muscle mass so I can compress the ball more.
We hear you love pets. Did you have one growing up/ you have some right now?
I have always had pets- they are my life! I think we as humans can learn so much from animals.
You think style is intrinsic to Golf- which is seen as an elitist sport in India?
I think style is important in every aspect of life- you can be wearing pyjamas and still look stylish and well turned out.
Do you enjoy all the traveling that comes along with Golf? What advice would you give to solo women travelers?
One of my motivating factors to play golf is the traveling and meeting new people. I'm in love with places I've never been to and people I've never met (chuckles). For solo women travelers I would say be stern and respect yourselves- do not take any nonsense from anybody or be scared just because you are alone.
Picture By: WGAI
How is Ankita Tiwana in the proverbial locker room? What's your personality, when its just you and the girls and no one's listening?
I am perpetually making jokes and keeping the atmosphere light- lots of singing and dancing haha. I am on good terms with all the girls on tour and we all have a great time together!
Sharmilla Nicolet's fashion is making news, so, what's your USP?
I believe in a full package deal- my USP is style along with a strong personality and wit. I think a good sense of humour is a mark of intelligence.
And what will you do in your capacity to build the brand of women's golf in India?
I will promote the game in any way that I can- let as many people as I can know how amazing and at the same time challenging it is to be a professional athlete and that they should definitely experience it at least once in their lives.
What's the way forward for women's golf? Assess some realistic goals to the arena, that you feel must be achieved by the end of the year.
We need more numbers and for that we need more sponsors. We need the media to really focus on covering our tournaments and lives so that more and more people know about it. We need to change the typical Indian attitude of not taking sports seriously and the government to support the development of sports. The very common statement of 'what else are you doing apart from sports' needs to go. People need to understand that being a sportsperson is one of the toughest professions with the steepest pyramid of success. We need world class facilities, coaches, trainers, and most of all a professional approach towards everything that sports entail.
And ofcourse, tell us about your goals for 2014 too!
My goal for 2015 is shooting a lot more under par rounds and doing it in style!