Peter Singh has heard the obvious question more than a few
times.
”
They want to know if I’m related to Vijay Singh,
”
said Peter, who is not.
Peter Singh has heard the obvious question more than a few times.
“They want to know if I’m related to Vijay Singh,” said Peter, who is not.
The two golfers do have one major ingredient in common. They both are extremely hard workers on the course. And while Vijay’s work ethic has merited him fame and riches, Peter’s has already merited him a huge championship this summer and a berth in the prestigious Hogan’s Cup.
Peter Singh, age 15 and a resident of Ridgemark, represents Northern California along with three other players this Saturday and Sunday at Riverside Country Club in Portland, Oregon. The annual event, named in the memory of Eddie Hogan (not Ben) is always held at Riverside CC and is looked upon as one of the premier junior events of the year. Eighteen holes of Medal Play will be played each day.
Singh’s foursome will compete against teams from Southern California, San Diego, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Oregon, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada and British Columbia.
Singh, who will be a sophomore at Bellarmine Prep this fall, was selected for the team after he snared the JGANC/NCPGA Jr. Match Play Championship, which was held at Patterson’s Diablo Grande CC June 24-27.
Singh had to play six rounds, the first round was a qualifier where he shot a 78. He then marched through five rounds of match play, defeating Michael Mulhearn of Newark 2 and 1 on the final day. Singh, playing just 17 holes, hit all 17 greens in regulation. Giving himself a par on No. 18 on the final two rounds, Singh shot 71-71. Par was 72.
Besides the Hogan’s Cup berth, Singh was awarded a big trophy and a Bulova watch.
“That was one of my best rounds,” said Singh, who has shot a 69 at Ridgemark before. “And it was my biggest thrill, so far. I’m excited about the Hogan’s Cup.”
“To win the match play tournament in 105-degree heat showed that Peter is tough mentally,” said new Ridgemark head pro Mitch Thomas. “Peter is a good player and works real hard. He has a real good short game.”
Peter has been taking lessons from Ridgemark assistant pro Chris Branon with Branon having Singh hit 200 balls a day.
“Peter has a lot of talent,” said Branon. “He’s a great ball striker and has a great touch. You can’t teach that. We’ve improved his distance, adding 15 yards to his irons.”
Father first mentor
Singh started playing golf when he was four. He was born in San Francisco, lived there until he was eight before moving to Burlingame. He moved to Hollister a year ago.
His father, Kuljit, was a member of Lake Merced Golf Club in San Francisco. That is where young Peter learned the game.
“I’ve done two things for Peter,” said Kuljit of his only child. “First, I gave him the opportunity to (acquire) the love for the game. Secondly, I’ve instilled in him the integrity of the game, that there are rules in golf. Golf is not only a physical game, but a mental game.”
“My father and I discuss the game a lot,” said Peter. “We talk about strategy after I play. It’s against the rules for him to talk to me while I play.”
Peter was back at his old stomping grounds course last weekend for the NCGA Junior Championship. Playing in the Class B (Boys 14-15) Division, Singh shot a very nice first round 75 before escalating up to 85-83 the final two rounds, missing the cut.
“It was definitely disappointing,” said Peter, who was hitting from the black tees. “The pins were in difficult places. I hit the ball well, but I putted terribly. Putting is the one part of my game I need to improve on. I’m a streaky putter. I want to be more consistent.”
Singh, whose average drive is 260 yards, plans on doing some weight-lifting this fall and winter before boys golf season begins next spring.
“Mainly, I want to do wrist exercises to strengthen my wrists,” said Peter, who is a member of a local health club.
Last year, as a freshman, Singh was No. 1 on the Bells junior varsity team. No freshmen were on the varsity. He has more than a legitimate shot to make the top six this spring.
Interesting summer
Peter Singh doesn’t have many friends in Hollister. Most of his friends are still residing in Burlingame and/or attend Bellarmine.
“I go up there during the summer and hang out for few days,” said Singh.
Singh also spends time back in Battleboro, Vermont. He’s done so every summer since he can remember. It’s the site of the Lithuanian Heritage Festival. Singh’s mother, Alberta, is from Lithuania. Kuljit is from Malaysia.
“It’s a lot of fun and I have a lot of friends there that I see every summer,” said Peter. “We learn about Lithuanian history and things like that.”
Peter attended the Festival right before he played in the NCGA Junior Championship, which meant he took two weeks off from golf.
“I don’t think that had any affect on Peter,” said Kuljit. “It’s good for him to have a life. Maybe two or three years down the road he won’t go back there.”
Golf in college
Peter hopes to keep improving his game, get good grades and move on to college. His dream is to attend Stanford University someday, hopefully on a golf scholarship.
“I’m going to focus on golf the next two years and then I’ll be able to tell what I really want to do,” said Peter.
If he doesn’t make a living in the PGA, Peter wants to get his M.B.A.
Until then, it’s work on that putting, for Singh has his swing already down.
