I had enrolled in 2 south zone golf tournaments conducted in Coorg and Madikeri in January 2020. We went there a day before the practice round started to take a look at the course and analyze and plan for the tournament day. We wanted to be one step ahead and get more practice, hence we arrived a day earlier. We stayed at Coorg golf links, which was located right next to our second tournament’s location. From our room, we could see the fairway of holes 17 and 18 clearly.

We arrived around midnight two days before the official practice round. My dad and my golf coach came along to support me. The next morning, arrived at Madikeri golf course. It was a 30-minute drive from where we were staying. I played the first 9 holes that day because I did not have time to play the back 9. We analyzed what the distance was, the ball path, and what club to use. That was it for that day.

The next morning was the official practice round. We had to report to Madikeri within a particular time for the practice round. We arrived, had breakfast, and began to tee-off from hole 10 because we were playing the back 9 today. Four hours later, I arrived back at the clubhouse for the briefing of rules and regulations. We returned back to the room in the evening. Once we reached, I began to practice my short game for a while. I went to bed early because I had to wake up early tomorrow.

The next day I showed up prior to the tee-off timing. It was the first time in 5 years that I played a full 18-hole round, so I was nervous that I would be exhausted. But, to my surprise, it wasn’t as tiring as I expected. As it was my first south-zone tournament, my scores were not up to my expectations. I scored 112 on the first day. We returned back to the room for lunch and my legs started to hurt a bit. So, I had my lunch and took a nap. Later that evening, I went to the short game practicing area in Coorg golf links and corrected all my mistakes from the first day. I went back to my room to get some rest for tomorrow.

The next day was the final day of the Madikeri tournament. With all the corrections I did, I started playing. Once the match was done, I went to the judges to submit my scores. That day I scored 96, which apparently is better than most of the players’ first-time score. I was happy, but not satisfied enough. I wanted to fight harder in the next tournament. I collected my certificates and went back to the resort. I practiced my short game that evening. The next day, the tournament was happening in the Coorg gold links which was 50 meters away from our resort. I remembered very well what I practiced and what I was aiming for. At the end of my first day, I scored an 89. Everyone was shocked. Out of 80 players, I placed top 10. My parents and my coaches were very happy. That evening, I practiced my long game because I felt that I had to concentrate on that.

The next day, the final day of the tournament and my last day here, I walked up to the tee box confidently. At the end of the match, however, I was disappointed with my score. I scored a 113. I felt like the reason why I did bad that day was because I got intimidated by my teammates, who had good experience with such tournaments, so the fear and nervousness got to me. But this isn’t the final tournament. There are gonna be tournaments conducted in the future and I will make sure to put in the effort and win at least one.

My teammates on all four days were very friendly and supportive. I did not know any of my teammates, but I saw a few friends of mine from Coimbatore who were also trained by my coach. The Madikeri course was very challenging because it was packed with hills and dog-leg holes, so it was a challenge to pull our trolleys. The Coorg course was also pretty challenging because the hole fairways were straight and a few holes were in the top of a small mountain.

I completely enjoyed the 2 tournaments and gained a lot of experience. Not only did I learn new things, but I had physical benefits too. I lost around 4 kgs in the past week just by walking. I hope for participating in more such tournaments.