Calcutta: Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia isn’t the first caddie-turned-pro to make it big and the hope is that he won’t be the last. The 29-year-old Chowrasia (now ranked 161 in the world), though, will remain very special for Calcuttans. The other morning, he spent time with The Telegraph at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC).

The following are excerpts

 

Biggest influence

My mother, Srikumari... More than my father (Ganesh Prasad), she’s the one who encouraged me at every step... She had immense faith in me... It’s not that my father didn’t want me to take up something I’d become passionate about, but he’d always ask ‘where’s the money?’... He was, I suppose, being practical.

The importance of money

Money is important and I wouldn’t like to waste any of it... Accha investment karna hai (with the over Rs 1.6 crore won at the Indian Masters)... I’ll also have to help out with youngest sister Rita’s wedding... My schedule is coming in the way of her marriage... Baat chal rahi hai... Sportsmen have a shelf life and, so, one needs to prepare for life after golf or cricket or soccer... I’ve had this habit of saving and remember having saved Rs 4,000-5,000 from earnings as a caddie. I would keep the money with mother.

[As there are precedents, an appeal is being made for a tax exemption. Hopefully, Chowrasia won’t have to part with a chunk of his earnings.]

Whether he has an object of desire

(Laughs) well, I’m fond of bikes... I have a Pulsar, but have been absolutely fascinated by a Yamaha which is in Jyoti Randhawa’s garage... It’s a beauty.

On whether he’s either gifted himself or his mother something after becoming the Indian Master

Not yet, but I’ll certainly get something for her and my father (both of whom are in Gauspur village, some three hours from Varanasi)... Kuch to zaroor dena padega, but I don’t think I can meet them for two-three months... I’ll be busy with back-to-back tournaments in Delhi and will then head for Malaysia and Korea.

The golfer who made the earliest impression

Basad Ali... His putting, among other things, would be brilliant.

Starting off as a caddie at the RCGC

That’s how I began to learn more about golf... I’m particularly indebted to Mr Neil Law, the first member for whom I began to caddy, and who supported me in a big way... I’m also grateful to Mr Madan Singh (a former RCGC captain, now settled in Jodhpur)... In fact, there were times when I took two-three months’ fees in advance from Mr Singh... I’d become his caddie after Mr Law stopped playing... The RCGC has, of course, backed me throughout... Unka haath hamesha raha hai.

The early years

(Laughs again) I used to be a big fan of Ajay Devgun and would run off to watch his movies... Main jyada door nahin jaata tha, usually to the Malancha or Navina theatres... Occasionally, to Menoka... Going to a theatre close to the RCGC helped me return home quicker! People at home would be under the impression I was on the golf course.

Favourite actors

Early on, it was Devgun... Over the years, I’ve grown to admire Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan... Aishwarya, Priyanka Chopra... I don’t get the time to see many movies, the last I watched in a theatre was Bhool Bhulaiyaa... (After a pause) There have been times on the Tour when I’ve watched DVDs brought by Gaurav Ghei...

Music

Helps me relax... I find the songs of Veer Zaara haunting.

Other forms of relaxation

Sleeping... Some yoga...

On having much in common with India’s ODI and Twenty20 captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (who too is fond of bikes and finds sleep an excellent way to relax)

Didn’t know that... He’s making a big name for himself... Sadly, I don’t get to watch much cricket as it’s time consuming... If I’ve got to watch a match, then I’ve got to see it from the first ball till the last... That’s too many hours.

Whether he’s God-fearing

It’s not that I’m afraid, but I have lots of faith... I don’t need to fear God as I’m confident I won’t do anything to earn his wrath...

Destiny

Woh to hai hi... I mean, my father could’ve worked anywhere and not at the RCGC and, then, I wouldn’t be talking to you... Destiny has made this happen. There’s somebody much bigger who makes things happen.

Whether he’s superstitious

Oh, no... I won’t stop dead in my tracks if a cat crosses my path nor will I wear the same T-shirt just because I had a good round the day I wore it. I keep things simple.

First tournament outside Calcutta

Patna, in 1997... Outside India, it was Macau in 2006.

Worst moment

Not signing the card in Taiwan, after leading in the first two rounds... That disqualification was painful, but Ghei and Rahil Gangjee helped me overcome that setback... I followed their advice that I shouldn’t brood over what had happened, but look ahead... I’m thankful for the moral support they extended.

Best moment

The Masters win, till I got the RCGC’s honorary membership (on Thursday).

The No.1 challenge

(Laughs once more) Right now, it’s finding time to practise.

Handling pressure

It’s best to stay relaxed and control things I can control... Faltu mein tension lene se kya fyada?

Getting ready to bump into Tiger Woods

Absolutely... I’d like to know how he keeps his nerve in the final rounds... I’ll make sure I’ve got a camera in hand! Woh tasveer to special rahegi.

On the person that he is

Main kya boolun? I know my strengths and weaknesses... I don’t like talking much... I try not to do anything which would be seen as wrong... I’m always conscious of that... I like the company of friends and quite like non-vegetarian food... Don’t know how else to answer your question...

Finally, whether at some point, fame could change the simple person that he is

That won’t happen... Jaisa hoon, waisa hi rahoonga... The media has been after me, ever since I landed on Monday morning, but I’ve found the time to be with friends... Success, which hasn’t come easy, won’t go to my head.