GREATER NOIDA: Jeev Milkha Singh gave up, stopped playing golf. But his smile, his steadfastness is proof itself that even if a whirlwind of grief sweeps over your life, you will always find a reason to return with a new purpose.
"After mom and dad passed away during Covid, I gave up," sighed Jeev, recalling the dark days of 2021. "It was very difficult," he said, pausing to reflect, "it's still tough."
"I didn't want to play golf because they introduced me to the game. They got my son started," he continued. "In 2022, I decided if I'm going to play golf, I'm going to play for them. Everything is for them." Each round is an emotional journey, a paean to his parents. "Now, my dedication to the game is for them."
Every word is alive, striking, and touching.
He now plays an unforgiving 28 to 30 events a year, with a renewed sense of excitement. And also, with the duty of a teacher. "Golf is the only game that gives you an opportunity after the age of 50," the 52-year-old said. "I think the message we want to convey to the young guys at the age of 40 and 42 is that when you spend the last 30 years doing what you love doing, it's very difficult to start something new. Just stay fit, follow your dream, and when you turn 50, be good enough to play a senior tour anywhere in the world. There are Tours everywhere, Europe, America, Japan, Australia, South Africa."
Jeev has always been a globetrotter. "I came from Japan on Monday. I'm going back again next week, because on the Japanese senior tour, the rule is you have to play minimum nine events and I've only played three till now. It's a great tour. " Europe's 'Legends Tour' has taken him to different places. "It is run beautifully. Lovely courses in Zambia, Switzerland, Barbados, Mexico, everywhere It's fantastic!"
And now, for the first time, in India with the $500,000 HSBC India Legends Championship. "Hopefully with this tournament as a start, we have an India senior tour in the future." His role here, besides being a competitor, is of the graceful host. "I organised a dinner for them last night. They are trying different cuisines, South Indian dosa, pav bhaji, they loved it. They are used to a certain flavour back in the UK and Europe but here there is so much variety... Most of the guys went to the Taj Mahal. Saturday, we have a fashion show, and Sunday prize-giving." There are senior privileges. There is no cut too for the 64 pros. "You play for three days. And move in golf carts."
"Another nice part about the senior tour is one of the celebrities, or amateur, plays with two pros for the first two days. So it's a good mix," said Jeev, whose playing partners are cricket star Yuvraj Singh, and Brazilian Adilson Da Silva, a six-time winner on the Legends Tour. Time-permitting, he might just pop over to watch his son Harjai - taller than his dad at 14 play the tournament. "Very proud moment to caddie for him, in Scotland when he won. But a lot of arguments. Son telling the father, you don't know anything. Father knows nothing."
Walking out of Jaypee Greens this week, Jeev may have retraced a few steps. "This golf course, when I played today, came back to me. But what I finished in that competition a long time back, Jyoti (Randhawa) and I going head-to-head, I don't remember. Was it 2008 or 2013?" he wondered.