Playing on the Symetra Tour helped me become adaptable and tough, says Vaishavi Sinha
New Delhi, 22nd Sep.: Vaishavi Sinha, 24 year old lady pro golfer from Noida, made quite a few headlines during her Hero Women’s Indian Open exploits last year at the Delhi Golf Club. The Noida golfer stole the show on day one when she carded six-under 67 to become the highest placed Indian behind the eventual leader, Gwladys Nocera. Vaishavi capped the week off as the top placed Indian with a tied 5th finish. Ever since, she has gone on to represent India on the Symetra Tour in the United States of America for majority of the year while managing a win out of the three tournaments she played on the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour, during her visit to India this year.
The Women’s Golf Association of India (WGAI) had an exclusive conversation with Vaishavi and elicited her views on her career and experience at the Symetra Tour and the upcoming Hero Women’s Indian Open in October at the all new Gary Player designed 18 hole championship course at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon.
WGAI - Tell us about your experience of playing on the Symetra Tour.
Vaishavi Sinha - My experience has been very enriching. I have traveled to many different places and have met a lot of amazing and kind people through host housing, who want to help us travelling golf professionals. The support that people give to us is really incredible.
WGAI - What are the advantages of playing on the Symetra Tour?
Vaishavi Sinha - The competence level on the Symetra Tour is very high and every player is trying to make it to the next level, i.e, the LPGA. Therefore, competition is cutthroat. There are players from all over the world including LPGA players who haven't been able to retain their card from previous years or those with conditional status on the LPGA or LET players who want to fill out their schedule. Symetra is the "road to the LPGA" so that's the immediate advantage.
WGAI - What are the difficulties you have faced playing in the US? How do you cope with them?
Vaishavi Sinha - It's very hard to make a living as a professional golfer trying to make it big. The Symetra Tour is definitely not an option if one wants to support themselves. One has to rely on sponsorship or outside support to keep playing on Tour if they're outside the top 15-20 money earners.
WGAI - Figures show, last season was better as compared to 2015 – what has gone wrong this season?
Vaishavi Sinha - I have been experimenting quite a lot with my swing. It's frustrating to do it during the season. I was not satisfied with my swing from last year and started making changes in the off-season that have continued into the season. It snowballed with the missed cuts and I'm trying to get my confidence back.
WGAI - What are your learnings from the Symetra Tour?
Vaishavi Sinha - I have gained a lot of experience in terms of playing in different conditions and on different terrains. The journey has been intense and traveling by myself or with other players for 7 months of the year to play in different parts of the country. It has helped me grow as a person, become more adaptable and tough.
WGAI - What is your schedule for rest of the year?
Vaishavi Sinha - I will be working with my coach in Chicago in early October and then heading back to India to practice for Hero Women’s Indian Open 2015.
WGAI - Last year, you and Tanya Wadhwa traveled together on the Symetra Tour – share your experience of playing and traveling along with her.
Vaishavi Sinha - It was a lot of fun to be traveling with a fellow Indian player. We traveled together for a 4-week stretch. When you travel with somebody else and share a car and accommodation, you have to learn to be flexible and do what works for the both of you. It was a good learning experience and I enjoyed spending time with her. After we were done at the course, it helped to get our minds off golf for a little bit and spend time with our hosts and each other.
WGAI - Next up, on the home soil, is the Hero Women’s Indian Open 2015 – how do you plan to better last year’s Tied 5th finish at the Indian Open?
Vaishavi Sinha - I'm planning to work with my coach for a few days before I head back home to India and then playing the new course a few times, so that I get familiar with the terrain.
WGAI - After two years, Hero Women’s Indian Open returns to DLF G&CC but on a never-played-before, Gary Player designed 18 hole championship course – How much of a home-advantage will the Indian girls enjoy?
Vaishavi Sinha - We might enjoy a slight advantage because we get to play the course a few more times than our competitors. When it's a really tricky course with lots of subtle nuances, it can prove to be advantageous if you're familiar with them.
WGAI - This will be the 9th edition of the Indian Open and yet we do not have an Indian winner. Who do you think would be India’s best bet this year?
Vaishavi Sinha - I think all of us if we're playing well that week and have our best game on, can do it.
By Saurabh Singh, WGAI
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