Women stroll on to the green to tee off in style

It's 1.30pm on a Wednesday. Seventy-year-old Susie Kurien steps on to the teeing area at the Cosmo TNGF course. Adjusting the grip on her club, she swings at the ball. It soars in the air and makes a perfect arc before landing some distance from the hole. Other women applaud. They are all practising for the Madras Ladies Golf Championship (MLGC) starting on Tuesday.
Women in the city have played golf as early as in the 1960s. In recent years, Lalita Balasubramanian represented India twice at international tournaments. Actress Vyjayanthimala Bali was also active on the city's courses till a few years ago. "Decades earlier, women wore saris and salwar suits. Most of us prefer a T-shirt and trousers," says Gayathri Sridhar, a golfer since 1999.
Susie started playing the game 30 years ago, with her husband. "I always used to play sport. When my children grew up, I decided to take up golf," she says. While Premalatha Ramaraj, 52, switched from shuttle to golf 12 years ago, Gayathri started playing alongside her husband and son. "Playing shuttle gave me shoulder pain; that's when I figured I was more suited for golf," says Premalatha. Vedika Parvez started off three years ago. "My mother introduced me to the sport when I was ten," says the 13-year-old.
Starting out was tough for some of them, though. "If you're a sports person, golf is easy," says Susie. Gayathri says getting the movements right was a little difficult. Vedika is still learning to get her game right. All of them practise about three times a week at the Cosmopolitan Club, Gymkhana Club or at the MGC Race Course in Guindy. Most of them have participated in tournaments, including MLGC.
Susie, who started with a single digit handicap, now has a handicap of 28 and is participating in the bronze division, like Gayathri. Premalatha, has a handicap of 13 and will play in the silver division. Vedika, too, with a handicap of 20, will play in the silver division.
The women have played at courses in India and in the United States, Canada, Singapore and England. "We can get quite competitive. Men, however, play for fun," says Susie. "People's approach also differs. You can play to compete, to exercise or to maintain your handicap," says Premalatha.
Adds Gayathri, "Men still dominate the sport, but we're encouraging more women to play. Thirty-three girls are participating this time, all below 18 years." "Our coaches are encouraging more girls to play. The earlier they start, the better," Vedika says.
(The Madras Ladies Golf Championship will be held from September 2 to 4 at the Cosmo TNGF course in Nandanam)
lakshmi.kumaraswami@timesgroup.com