"I am very proud of my origin (India) but I see myself as an Australian athlete first", says Indian Australian Kunal Bhasin, who is representing Australia in the Kensville Open 2018 organised by Professional Golf Tour of India.
Kunal is among the four international players who are competing in the tournament against other Indian golfers.
Speaking to SBS Gujarati about representing Australia in the Kensville Open and other international tournaments Kunal said, "I am very proud to represent Australia in various competitions as I have always been an Australian citizen."
Originally from Mumbai in India, Kunal's parents moved to Australia 45 years ago and settled in Gove, in the Northern Territory where his love affair with golf began. He later became a professional golfer.
Kunal Bhasin, an Australian golfer. Source: Kunal Bhasin
"I have always loved golf and it is something that I have always wanted to do. I turned pro in 2006 and now I a full-time golfer playing in various championships."
"The passion to do something for the Golf motivated me to start online training and instructions classes to the beginners of the game."
Over the course of his professional career, the 39-year-old has played in the Asian tour for five years from 2010 to 2014 and the PGTI for 12 years.
He has also won the Crompton Greaves Championship in 2009, The PGTI Players championship in 2012 and The Indian Oil Servo Masters in 2013. Moreover, he has been runner-up several times and finished in the top five in several other international tournaments.
Kunal faces tough competition from other golfers in the ongoing Kensville Open, especially from India players.
Kunal Bhasin, an Australian golfer. Source: Kunal Bhasin
"Indian players are good on their home courses and I love competing against them, I am on the 20th place after the end of first two rounds."
Australian golf culture
Brisbane-based golfer Kunal is a keen follower of Australian golf culture
"Australian people love golf, I feel like social and club golfers appreciate not just the sport but the exercise and fresh air."
"Australian golfers want to get better and they are competitive and fair."
The big difference he has noticed between Indian and Australia golf culture is to get help from the caddy, the person who carries the player's bags and gives insightful advice and moral support.
"In India, every player gets help from caddy after the end of every round. On the other hand, in Australia, it is just the player and his playing partner, no one around the players to help them, this makes a big difference between both the country's golf culture.
"What's more, Australian golfers are much more social when they are on the course while the Indian golfers are a lot more social after the round."
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