For Sumit Rathor, Founder Rathor Associates and President, Karnataka Golf Association, it is all about patience, honesty and integrity, whether it’s on the golf course or in the boardroom. With experience of over two decades in advertising and four decades in golf (and 300 titles to boot), Rathor believes that golf teaches a person a lot about real life, and how to score an ace, a hole-in-one each time. He speaks to Explocity about his life.

Ad Man

I have been in advertising for over two decades. I started around the time Explocity came out with Bangalore This Fortnight. At Rathor Associates we give our clients complete solutions, whether it’s organising an event or promoting the brand the best way in all mediums. For example, we organised an event for one of our clients C Krishniah Chetty and Sons at ISKON. No one would have thought that possible. But it was a great hit. I am available to my client 24/7 till we complete the job. The people, who started working along with me, still are with me.

Tee Time

I have been playing golf for 40 years now. I started visiting the golf course with my dad as a kid. Golf teaches you a lot about real life. It teaches you to be patient, calm and focussed. In golf you are mostly playing against yourself. It teaches you about honesty and integrity

I normally play during the weekends, if I am not in a tournament. I participate in a large number of tournaments. It’s not possible to take my family along during a golf match because a game can take as long as seven hours.

The Green Edge

Golf is a great form of exercise. You have to spend at least five hours walking around when you are playing. Through golf, you get to meet some of the best people from various fields. I have got some greats contracts on the golf course, but it’s the friendships you build that count the most.

Aces and Nines

I have played for Bangalore Golf Club, Karnataka Golf Association (KGA), Madras Gymkhana Club and Lucknow Golf Club. I have served as Secretary, Chairman of Tournaments and Captain at the KGA. I have won the World Golf Invitational at Marbella ,Spain (in the handicap 11-15 category while Team Indian shared the tenth slot with Ukraine in Spain).

As President of KGA

I plan to promote Junior Golf in the city. Bangalore has produced a lot of talent over the years and there are many young golfers who show great promise. Some of the examples are Chinnaswamy Muniyappa, Anirban Lahiri, Sharmila Nicolette, Aditi Ashok. They are all from Bangalore.

Bangalore not only has the talent but also great weather, which is a big bonus for golf. Recently we’ve seen many golf courses coming up in the city and KGA has one of the finest golf courses in the city.