Dhoni kicks off inaugural Winning Ways Executive Golf Invitational.
By Sujeet Rajan
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA: India limited overs cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced an unprecedented offer for an amateur golf invitational tournament here: a Ferrari for anybody who can score a hole-in-one, at the 27-hole golf course at The Phoenician, one of the top luxury golf resorts in the world.
Dhoni made the announcement addressing an audience at a reception here last night, to kick off the inaugural Winning Ways™ Executive Golf Invitational, hosted by Rhiti Sports and promoted and executed by IntraEdge Inc, an IT services company based in Arizona, founded by Indian American entrepreneur Kal Somani,.
Dhoni also said that the proceeds from the tournament, which included a silent auction comprised of cricket memorabilia signed by him, would go to the Wounded Warrior Project and the Indian Army.
Some 100 odd amateur golfers are expected to take part in the invitational today, which would see foursomes take part in an 18-hole, four-ball scramble competition. There would be several entertaining activities on the range, including closest to the pin and longest drive challenges, apart from the hole-in-one challenge. The day will end with a presentation ceremony and gourmet dinner.
In his impressive speech, which was laden with terms of respect for people in the army, Dhoni emphasized his support for servicemen around the world.
“We can talk of constitutional rights, but people in the services everywhere in the world have the same rights,” said Dhoni, who has earned an honorary title of Lt. Colonel from the Indian Army for a stint of para jumping.
A video feature of Dhoni’s three weeks training for the accolade was screened at the meet last night for the audience, which comprised mostly of local businessmen and executives in corporates in the region. Dhoni is credited with being the first professional athlete in the world to do the para jumping drill.
The evening was emceed by Miss India finalist 2002 Divya Jaitly, who is a TV presenter in India and also executive director of the NGO Vividha, which works for women empowerment. Jaitly got Dhoni to also talk of the pressures professional cricketers have to face while playing grueling matches in series after series, which often creates emotional turbulence at home.
In interviews and chats to The American Bazaar, several attendees expressed their admiration for Dhoni, and praise for the worthwhile cause he has undertaken.
Luke Goetz, Managing Director, Carl Marks Advisors, who is of Australian origin, and based in Orange County, California, drove down to the event due to his connection with Somani, and also the chance to interact with Dhoni.
“I was excited to know that Dhoni was coming and this was a chance to meet him,” said Goetz, who follows cricket.
“I think cricket has a chance to flourish in some parts of the US,” opined Goetz when asked of the prospects of cricket flourishing in the country.
Anju Vallabh, CEO, United Software Group, based in Dublin, Ohio, expressed her enthusiasm for the cause Dhoni espoused.
“It’s a wonderful cause, and I’m glad to support it,” she said.
Raj Parikh, an engineer by training and an hotelier, who owns some 18 properties in the New York tristate area, was one of those who bought a mini cricket bat signed by Dhoni to raise money for the cause of the service personnel.
“I’m very happy to meet him (Dhoni),” said Parikh. “It’s a fantastic effort by him to raise money for a good cause,” he added.
Another entrepreneur, Sal Bhalla, President, Tropical Green organics, based in Sterling, Virginia, was enthused with the prospect of trying to win a Ferrari.
There were several physicians in the audience last night, including Gautam M. Shah, who runs the Clinic for Chest Disease, in Sun City, Arizona and Dhirendra J. Patel, Director of Radiation Therapy, Northern Arizona Tumor Institute.
Mukesh N Roy, Director, Ocean County Health, based in Tom River, New Jersey, was the only person Dhoni took by name in his speech, while talking of the cause of servicemen. Roy himself is a veteran of the Indian Army.
A surprise guest at the meet was Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin, who attended the reception and dinner with his girlfriend.
“I admire Dhoni for what he has done for the sport of cricket and what he is doing now for the cause of the people in uniform,” said Corbin.