http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-india-golf-20120706,0,3345846.story
Among the 3 million or so charities operating in
The way pro golfer Indrajit Bhalotia sees it, however, offering hope of a life-changing career for a few has a place alongside meeting the temporary needs of multitudes.
Bhalotia, 40, confident and understated, born into a well-off family, started playing golf at 4. He became India's top-ranked player in 1990 and founded ProTouch Golf Academy, selling equipment, apparel and lessons to the well-heeled.
During a slump in 1998, hoping to get his winning form back, he pledged 10% of his future winnings to charity. Eventually he decided that wasn't enough, that anyone could give money but he needed to do more.
"Golf's been very good to me," he said recently at the Royal. "It's the least I could do. There was karma for me in this."
He started recruiting impoverished children through Ek Prayaas, a Kolkata charity, and among the club's caddies. A lifetime spent whacking small white balls allowed him to spot aptitude within minutes of their first swing.
"Sure, I might miss one Tiger Woods," he said. "But out of five, I can pick out four."
