By IANS
Kolkata : EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters winner S.S.P Chowrasia Monday said he needs a sponsorship of $50,000 to make his dream of playing in the European Tour come true.
Talking to the media at a felicitation programme at the RCGC where he honed his skills, Chowrasia said: “I need half a million dollars to sustain myself on the European tour. I have got a sanction till 2010 and I am very excited. I want to take on the best in the world.”
He was felicitated with a bouquet as the caddies lined up and garlanded him and cried out “Chowrasia Zindabad” in his honour.
A. Luthra of the Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) said: “We have appealed to the sponsors to come forward and help us.”
Remembering his growing years at the club, Chowrasia said: “I have learnt everything from here. I took up golf when I was 12-13 years and from then it was only golf for me. My father worked here as a greenkeeper and I lived in the quarters here. My stint as caddie also helped me.”
Nicknamed ‘Chipputsia’, he said, “I was very good in chip and putt and that got me the name. It has been with me from my caddie years. I would also like to dedicate my trophy to Neel Low who gave me the first golfing set.”
On whether he has any ideal, he said, “I admire the way Tiger Woods finishes off the game. If I ever meet him I will ask him how he finishes off the game so fast. I inevitably play it poorly in the second half. I need to rectify that.”
Chowrasia also said that the victory in Delhi gave him the confidence to take on the best in the world. He said that it would also provide a great impetus for caddies to take up the game more seriously.
On his unwavering smile that he wears even after his worst shot, Chowrasia said, “I enjoy my game and take the bad with the good in its stride. I don’t let it burden or bog me down. That is the secret.”
On his next assignments, he said, “I am looking forward to playing the SAIL Open and Jhonny Walker in Malaysia and continue to play in the circuit.”
On how has life changed for him in the last 24 hours, Chowrasia, who has eight titles on tour, said: “Nothing has changed for me. I am the same person and I would like to keep my humble lifestyle in future.”