‘I feel pressure and I love to take that’

Siddikur Rahman is often dubbed as the Tiger Woods of Bangladesh. So far, he is the only golfer from Bangladesh to win Asian Tour titles. In 2010, he won the Brunei Open, and in 2013, he won the Hero Indian Open. But nobody from Bangladesh has managed to win an Asian Tour title yet since him. The Business Post’s Samiur Rahman talked with the ace golfer and asked why

It has been more than a decade since you won the Brunei Open as the first Bangladeshi. In the last 10 years or so, what changes have you observed in the golfing scenario of Bangladesh?

I will say that there has been a huge change in the last 10 years. I won my first Asian Tour title in 2010, and from 2011, international tournaments started to take place in our country. In 2011, the first Asian Development tour tournament took place in Bangladesh, and then in 2012, we started hosting Asian Tour. Gradually, we are hosting Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) tours, and it’s still going on. We have our junior programs and also have the Bangladesh Professional Golfers Association, who are conducting 10-15 tournaments per year for the last 7-8 years, which has been very helpful. If you just compare the figures, you will get the answer. Previously, there were only one or two tournaments with possible prize money of Tk two lakhs, but now there is a minimum of Tk 10 Lakh prize money in a BPGA tournament. Apart from these, the national team and junior team are also doing good. I must say a lot has improved.

Earlier you could win any domestic tournament with ease, but now you are losing to local players. Do you think this is a sign that our local golfers are throwing a challenge at you?

I will take it on a very positive note. Now, I feel pressure, and I love to take that pressure. I love this competitive feeling. Previously, I used to win by a margin of 10 shots or 15 shots, but now I have to think about Jamal, or I have to think about Badal or Sayum. I know it’s pressure, but I like the challenge. You just asked about the change, and this is the change. You will see more competition in local tournaments. This means the players in the pipeline are working hard to move forward.

There is always a connection between professional golf and money. We see top golfers earning millions. But at the moment, do you think golf in Bangladesh can provide enough money for someone who takes up golf as a profession?

Very good question. If a player wants to survive only by playing golf professionally, he wants to make a decent living out of it, it’s possible. Because now in Bangladesh, there are at least 10 BPGA tournaments in a year. On average, the prize money for each is Tk 12 lakhs, so 10 make it to Tk 1 crore 20 lakhs. Some of the players have sponsors, some are even engaged in coaching the amateurs as well. So I think with these opportunities, one can have sufficient money to run a family. But if they don’t improve their game, the whole golfing scenario will not advance. The more they will make progress, the overall standard of our golf will increase, and it will give the game much popularity, which means more sponsors and a raise in the prize money. At that time, a golfer will not have to think about survival only. He can make decent savings as well if he improves himself.

Do you think local players invest in themselves to up their game? Do you think they feel the urge to develop their skillset like you just did as you went to USA for higher training?

If I say honestly, we don’t do these things. But to encourage the golfers to do so, our golf bodies have to do something. We need not nurture our golfers psychologically. When the golfers can understand their potential, they will invest in themselves because not believing without seeing is very human nature. Golf bodies must show them the big picture, the bigger vision. When the players start believing in themselves, they will be investing in themselves. Nobody has less potential, nobody hits the ball poorly. Everyone knows their game; our golfers are no lesser than the Asian tour golfers. But honestly, what I am seeing, no one is investing in improving the game.  We have to tell them that if you do not improve your game, you will be stuck.

You are the top golfer from Bangladesh. Does it satisfy you?

No, I feel disappointed because on a global scale, being the number one from Bangladesh is nothing. To make our golf more competitive, we need 50 or 100 more Siddikur Rahman in Bangladesh. If you remove me from the golf scenario, nobody is there. For whom will the sponsors place their money?

How we can have more international quality golfers?

The local golfers must come out from the tendency of making some property, rather than they must invest in their game. I have seen many golfers limiting their ambition only to buying a house or a plot or car. Most of us have humble beginnings, we hail mostly from villages. We don’t know how to invest in the game, how to improve skills. The only intention is saving, and one must come out of that intention.

Why do top businessmen take up golf as their favourite sport?

The environment inside golf courses, the serenity, the lush greenery- all emits a positive vibe. Globally, the business meetings take place on the golf courses. The buyers and sellers both play golf together, and during play, they strike deals.  Inside the golf course, both enjoy mental peace, and for that, they interact through quality time. The environment enhances quality production.