International student athletes are more common than ever. Mike McGilton reports on one New Mexico State golfer from India…..with a hidden talent.
Tanvir Khalon, known as TK to his teammates and coach, was born in New Delhi, India and has had a passion for golf since he was little.
While his dad was in the Indian Airforce, he also taught TK how to play golf. After living in India for most of his life, TK and his parents decided to make a change to help TK and his golfing career.
“I got good at golf and started playing on the Indian national team… and my parents decided that I was good enough to play golf for a living… so what we decided to do was to come to the United States to play golf here because I wanted to play on the PGA Tour.”
But TK and his parents did not end up moving to the United States. Instead, they moved to British Columbia, Canada. There…TK learned more and more about his golfing abilities.
During high school, TK finally was able to come to America to pursue his golfing career.
“I was in Orlando for three years at the Core Golf Academy… Sean Foley, the coach of Tiger Woods was there at the time, so that’s why I went there.”
TK became quite the golfer while in high school in Orlando. Being able to work on his game with some of the best instructors is the reason he says he was able to become such a good junior golfer.
As college began to creep closer and closer, TK had many offers from division I schools. He eventually committed to New Mexico State and notes many reasons for his decision.
“I chose New Mexico first… the weather is good… I can play golf 12 months a year. And… I really thought me and the coach had a connection that was stronger than the connections I had with some of the other coaches I was talking to. And that’s why I decided to come to New Mexico State and I am happy I did that.”
So far, TK has been enjoying his freshman year of college. He has learned a lot about himself on and off the golf course as well in his social life. He says he has already experienced some great times as a freshman, all thanks to his teammates. But golf isn’t the only thing in TK’s life that keeps him motivated. Music is something he is very passionate about. We’ll have more on that part of TK’s life tomorrow.