I WAS REALLY EXCITED, NOT ONLY FOR BEING SELECTED IN A WORLD CUP TOUR BUT ALSO FOR GETTING THE CHANCE TO REPRESENT MY COUNTRY IN AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT
The morning on the 6th day of October, 2018 was gentle, soothing and started little brighter than usual. I stepped gently onto my favorite Kurmitula Golf Club premises to join the Turkish Airlines Golf Cup amateur series.
I had no previous exposure to this kind of prestigious tournament and expectations were modest. However, during the prize giving ceremony, I discovered, to my utter surprise that I was adjudged the champion and that I was selected for the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup (TAWGC) grand finale in Antalya, Turkey.
I was really excited, not only for being selected but also for getting the chance to represent my country in an International event. I was one of the lucky few from among 110 golfers of 63 Countries, who were selected from a grand total of 7500 golfers.
I was more pleased when my husband decided to join me by taking time out of his busy schedule. I felt my tour would not be smooth and easy without his presnce.
We arrived in Antalya on the night of October 27 and failed to get our luggage in time. I got a little annoyed and tensed, but the reception that we got and the scenic beauty of the Titanic Hotel relieved all my tension and irritation and relaxed my mind.
October 28 was a practice day at the Titanic Golf Club. I am lost for words describing the beauty of the golf course. The front nine, called River Nine, was situated beside the Besgoz river and the back nine, named Mediterranean Nine, depicted the beauty of the by Mediterranean Sea. The sound of waves splashing the edge of the golf course was an amazing experience.
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Also read: MY DREAM IS TO SEE BGA AS A CENTRE OF GOLFING EXCELLENCE
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October 29 was the national day of the Turkey and it was also the opening round of the tournament. It was inaugurated through waving of the Turkish national flag by all the players and the game started with firing of shotgun. My three male partners were from Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Belgium. I earned 40 points and was adjudged 5th in the tournament and played in the second round.
October 30 was the second day and I was the first player of the 2nd group in serial. The other players were from Manchester, Titanic and Stockholm. I tried to play the utmost in spite of a few disturbing blisters on the toes. A gala night was organized on Regnum Hotel in honor of the players and guests. The most exciting events was qualifying for the Pro-Am event. A total of eight players were selected from TAWGC grand finale, five of them male and three female. I was the fifth.
October 31 was another remarkable day for me as I played the Pro-Am in the world class Caraya Regnum Golf Club. To my utter surprise the security arrangement of the golf club resembled that provided to VVIPs in our country. In the evening there was prize distribution followed by a party. First four players were given prizes. Unfortunately our group finished fifth. The next three days, we were
offered VIP hospitality as we witnessed the Turkish Airlines Pro-Am Open. We left Antalya on Nov 4 for Dhaka.
Golf gave me a lot. I am extremely honored and proud of the game. I have seen how players of different counties feel and love each other; how the world comes together in close proximity and friendship through golf. Long live golf.
