Chakola's launch pad
Coimbatore: Indian amateur golfer Joseph J. Chakola will use the Hero Honda Indian Open as the launch pad for his professional career.The 22-year-old’s impressive record as an amateur has earned him a sponsorship quota in the prestigious event, which begins at the Delhi Golf Club on Thursday.Chakola, who missed getting a card for the Indian tour in the qualifying school for Indian professionals in August this year, featured as an amateur in the tournament last year. Interestingly, he was one of the two amateurs who made the cut.Considered to be among the finest from the South, Chakola has achieved almost everything an amateur in the country can ever dream of. “He has represented his nation in almost every possible international event. I feel there’s nothing more. It’s time for him to shift gears. In fact, he has been thinking of it ever since he left for Italy to train under professional coach Alessio Cocchi,” said ‘Jack’ J. Chakola, his father.Has it come a little too late? “Not really. He is stepping in at the right time. From now on, it is his career,” he added.He said it is going to be a different ball game for his son from here. “His outlook to the game will also change with it.”How about the pressure as a professional? “There’s going to be some pressure but he is mentally very strong. Also, he is strong in game management,” said Chakola Sr.Chakola, who was part of the silver medal winning team in the Doha Asian Games last year, will also be taking part in the Asian Qualifying School for the Asian Tour in Malaysia in December.
