Gifted Child: Grandparents pride - Parents dilemma!
Nandini called me to tell me that Neil had done well in the latest Jr. golf tournament. He came first along with another kid but lost in the play off! Neil was upset and parents were disappointed. In fact, she had told me just the day before that Neil was not interested in practice anymore but they would take him to play anyway as it was his last tournament for the season!
Neil took part in the Callaway World Junior Golf Tournament at San Diego in July and did well. He was the youngest from his state of Washington and was given the honor of carrying the state flag! He was placed 18th and could have finished higher, if he had not become uncomfortable on the second day.The reason was that he had too much Gatorade to drink but refused to take a toilet break! He did have lots of fun and played with kids from different parts of the world. He and a boy from Peru became good friends!
He has a natural swing and a feel for the game, in fact any game! He drives well and without holding back. Predictably the short game has not interested him as much as driving. He is in a hurry to get it over with and go on to the next tee to drive! I know that he can take pressure when challenged. He has made long putts to beat me!
He had shown this aptitude for sports as a three year old! Nandini's friends had given him a set of plastic golf clubs and he could connect and hit well with them. I used to take him out to play and tell him to play like Tiger Woods. His reply was very sure! He was Tiger Woods! He was always ready to demonstrate his swing and was thrilled with all the wow's he got from people! Similarly he was Andre Agassi when playing tennis and Tendulkar when playing cricket!
The reason I am writing this is no surprise! As his Granddad and fellow golf player I am very proud of him and thrilled that he has the talent to play well and the temperament to compete!
Another reason is that I came across this review of a book, Hothouse Kids: The dilemma of the gifted child. I know it is a hard job to handle talent, especially in the US. Neil is in the age where he wants to be with his friends. Many of them are not into golf. Raxit and Nandini will be hard pressed to find a balance between his needs as a kid and nurturing his talent.
To compound this problem, Nikhil is also showing a lot of interest in golf and wants to play as well!
I hope they do find the balance. Being a kid is still a priroity and an all round development and growth is more important! I am sure that they will find a way to do all this and more!
Labels: Golf 'Oriental'
posted by Doreswamy Srinidhi at
4:50 AM
1 Comments:
Thought I would include all the comments I received in my e-mail account. The latest news is that Neil wants to play Tennis now!
Nidhi
nice one...you can add a line about a proud aunt too :-)
rohini
HI Nidhi uncle!
Suprise Suprise! I am replying to emails within the hour. I read your blog on Niel's golfing and parent's dilemma, grandparents pride. Cousin's pride as well! He's got that golfer's twist as I call it, (don't know what the pause after tee-off is called in golfing terms!).
love,Mohini
...what should be done to bring out his hidden and natural talents!
concluded that "cool mind and efforts" should continue and same will bring positive results
avinash
Nidhi/Tara,
I was thrilled to see little "Tiger" playing golf.
Neil looks great.
Thanks for sharing the pics. Hello to Nandini/Raxit.
Bye Dai.
This is great - looks like he has been blessed with the pefect hand-eye coordination! I am terrible in that aspect, could rarely connect with any type of ball. Poor eyesight and having to wear glasses fairly early didn't help matter much either.
Golf is a game of perseverance, so hope he can keep it up and not get frustrated or burnt out. Not a bad thing if you can make it as a career, much better than the traditional ways of earning a livelihood, perhaps with more enjoyment and fulfillment. While it is not quite up there with football, baseball, swimming and tennis as high school and college games, at least as yet, it might help a lot with college admissions, scholarships, etc. Extra curriculars are emphasized greatly in this country for college admissions, even at a graduate level - just academics is not sufficient. So whether it is sports or arts or something else like scouting, etc., it is always good to be involved in, and they also look at the consistency of involvement - dabbling in various things for short periods of time is frowned upon.
As you said, it is a tough balance between allowing them to be kids and at the same time encourage these types of activities, particularly when they start to encroach upon the time necessary for the regular classwork, etc. But it is good if the kids show an active interest rather than having to push them into things. force them to practice, etc. You can do it up to a certain age, but after that they have to do it themselves, otherwise it won't work.
Regards,
Sriram
Nidhi, I just loved all you had to say abt Neil's golfing abilities and the pictures were just amazing. The proud grandfather was reflected in each word and in every photograph. It is for the grandparents to feel the pride and the parents to face the dilemma. They'll surely find a way and like all gifted children neil too will be soon balancing sports, academics and funtime with his friends beautifully. All the World's luck to him!!
Sandhya
Nandini's mail which prompted me to write
"Tried calling you. We had the last golf tournament today and without any practice Neil tied for 1st place. He and another kid had a playoff and Neil was way too eager and mishit his driver. The highlight was that he had an eagle on one hole. He didn't play his best but is realizing that he can win. Until now he never thought he could and did not even try. He cried a little after losing the playoff but was fine after getting the second place medal."
-nandini
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Doreswamy Srinidhi, at 1:16 AM
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