Young Aranyak Chakraborty is fast carving a name for himself in India’s golfing circuit.

The 12-year-old Calcutta boy recently proved his mettle on the national scene when he finished second in Category C (U-13) in the IGU National Junior Boys Golf Championship 2024, held at the Karnataka Golf Association Club in Bengaluru.

Last month he won the IGU West Bengal Junior Boys Golf Championship at the Tollygunge Club and obtained the second position at the IGU Eastern India Junior Boys Golf Championship in Jamshedpur.

In April, he was the second runner-up at the Andhra Pradesh State Junior Boys Golf Championship in Visakhapatnam.

So what made the Class VI boy of The Future Foundation School take to golf in the first place?

“I had asthma since childhood which ruled out games which require a lot of running, like football and cricket.

Aranyak Chakraborty with Leander Paes at the Tollygunge Club

“But I was quite a hyper-active boy so my parents felt it was necessary I play a sport. Hence they put me into golf,” Aranyak told The Telegraph.

He was just four then but took to the game like a fish to water.

He became passionate about the sport and from the very start was always keen to play the game.

Aranyak is coached by Indrajit Bhalotia, a five-time PGA Tour of India champion.

Bhalotia lauds the way the boy is playing lately. “Of the present crop of under-13 golfers in the country, Aranyak is undoubtedly one of the best, “ said Bhalotia.

“He’s a hard-working boy and sky is the limit for him. Of course, he’s only 12 but if he carries on with the same determination, he cango far.

“He’s a very special boy and needs to stay away from distractions and not let success go to his head.”

India’s tennis star Leander Paes occasionally plays a round or two with Aranyak whenever he is in the city and has time for a game at Tollygunge Club.

“He encourages me, gives me tips on how to stay focused on the game, and on how to deal with pressure.

“While competing, I have realised I play better under pressure,” said the confident youngster.

Aranyak, a Rory McIlroy fan, will move into Category B in April next year and, beginning then, his parents hope to give him some international exposure as Aranyak dreams of turning professional some day.

Aranyak, who practises 2-3 hours daily, is thankful to his school and teachers who give him support and encouragement as he often needs to miss classes.

As of now, what is Aranyak’s way forward?

Said Bhalotia: “There are three things he must do — work hard, work hard and work hard.”

Aranyak is definitely doing his bit in that direction and hopes it will takehim far.