Feature
DS Sabharwal
AGE IS
JUST A
NUMBER!
We turn the spotlight on two golfi ng
gentlemen of Jamshedpur, D S Sabharwal
and R N Sharma, both in their nineties, but
as they say who’s counting- for to these
two golf lovers, age is just a number! It
is amazing to see them drive their cars by
themselves to the course, indulge in laughter
and share camaraderie with their four-
ball while seriously playing a
strenuous 18 hole game. They
believe that life is too short to
stand and stare; it isn’t tied with
a bow but is still a gift and must
be truly appreciated!
They are a study in
contrast: While RN Sharma
is soft spoken but determined
in his ways, D S Sabharwal is
jolly, robust and immediately
recognized by his loud voice
and laughter. While RNS is a
vegetarian, non-drinker and
yoga practitioner, D S loves a
hearty non-veg fare, indulges in
44 G o l f P l u s
DECEMBER
a drink or two and is a hard-core weekend
golfer. When I fi rst came to Jamshedpur, I
was a little intimidated by Uncle DS who
wouldn’t take to delays in giving a pass;
his loud voice would boom and make
me comply hurriedly but later I came to
admire him and his straight-forward ways,
calling a spade, a spade! While RNS is not
superstitious, D S is, but stops from carrying
any particular marker or object to the course
with him. No matter how high or low the
stake may be, D S enjoys betting on a golf
game. RNS does not wager. While RNS does
not have a role model he is partial to Tiger
Woods. Uncle D S on the other hand admires
Jack Nicklaus. DS’s favourite club in his
bag is No.7. RNS makes extensive use of 3
wood, hybrids and putter.
RNS was a sportsman right from his
college days but took to golf when he
moved to TInplate Company. Although
he has played on golf courses around the
world his favourite courses are the Beldih
and Golmuri. His objective of playing is
the sheer joy that golf gives him; for him
trophy winning has always been
secondary although he has
won a few during his
earlier golfi ng days.
He likes being one
with nature on
the golf course,
saluting the rising
sun, the sounds
of the chirping
birds gives him a
high like nothing
else. He continues
to play four days a
week attributing this
to a healthy life-style- a
nutritious diet, regular
exercise, meditation and
happy relationships. RNS revealed
that in the course of his playing days, he had
changed his set four times, moving to softer
fl ex at every change. He feels that to grow
the game, seeding of golfers has to start at
2018
R. N Sharma
universities. To do so many more courses
are needed and operated as sports
facilities. Besides corporates
can be supportive of clubs
and courses around their
area of operations to
sustain the interest
of young golfers.
DS’s favourite
course is the
RCGC. He plays
regularly three
days a week on
the Beldih and
Golmuri courses
and considers
chipping his strength.
He also attributes his
stamina to eating wisely
and exercising moderately.
He is very impressed with the growth
of golf in the country and is sure that the
game has a bright future. “Play golf like a
gentleman” is his message to young golfers.
It is not entirely possible to sum up the love
affair our two senior golfers have with the
game. There has never been a set time or age
to grow and better their skills. They don’t
beat their brains practicing but enjoy every
moment on the course. What motivates
them at 90 to wake up early on week-end
mornings and be at the practicing Tee is the
ability to hit the ball hard where they want,
a joy very few people experience! The entire
golfi ng community in Jamshedpur joins me
in paying a tribute to their tenacity, to their
mental strength, to the energy they exhibit
and above all to having it in them to carry
on. We wish the duo many more healthy and
enjoyable years of golfi ng.