Humans of Harker: Avi Khemani risks it for the biscuit

%E2%80%9CAs+a+creative+person%2C+I+think+about+hitting+shots+that+no+one+else+ever+thinks+about.+I+like+taking+risks%2C+as+opposed+to+a+lot+of+people+who+would+rather+play+it+safe.+As+a+golfer%2C+I+really+just+want+to+have+fun+and+pull+off+the+best+possible+shot.+Taking+risks+is+not+only+more+exhilarating%3B+you+only+get+one+opportunity%2C+Avi+Khemani+%2812%29+said.+

Vijay Bharadwaj

“As a creative person, I think about hitting shots that no one else ever thinks about. I like taking risks, as opposed to a lot of people who would rather play it safe. As a golfer, I really just want to have fun and pull off the best possible shot. Taking risks is not only more exhilarating; you only get one opportunity,” Avi Khemani (12) said.

by Vijay Bharadwaj, Aquila Opinion Editor

Avi Khemani (12) has a routine before putting the golf ball. He kneels down and shuts one eye, spends 30 seconds meticulously lining up his shot, then strikes the ball with a gentle but powerful tap from his club.

“Whenever I step out in the golf course, I force myself to focus and not let anything distract me,” Avi said. “I focus on my senses a lot and take deep breaths.”

As an individual sport, golf gives Avi complete power over his own success. He plays on the Harker golf team, for both competitive purposes and pure enjoyment of the sport.

“If I don’t do well, it’s on me,” he said. “If I do well, it’s on me. I feel like I’m in full control of the outcome. Also, you’re always outside with nature, and it requires a ton of imagination and creativity.”

Avi cited a video shown by his coach as particularly influential in his golf career.

“My golf coach showed me a video of Steph Curry, and the final quote was ‘Success is not an accident. Success is a choice,’” Avi said. “That resonated with me because I always saw these successful people and wondered how they got to that point, and watching the video showed me how much Steph Curry practiced in order to get to the level at which he is today.”

During last year’s golf season, Avi won the Eagle Award for his charismatic personality and ability in the sport.

“I went to every practice with a positive attitude,” he said. “A lot of people got frustrated and were really competitive. I never complained on the golf course as much, and tried to make the most of every practice. I’m a risky player.”

According to his teammate Sandip Nirmal (12), Avi has an eccentric style on the golf course.

“Avi’s probably the most energetic person on the team,” Sandip Nirmel (12) said. “He’s the most bubbly and he’s always talking. He gets on our opponent’s’ nerves a lot because he sometimes wears bow ties when he’s playing golf. Whenever we go in there with Avi, nobody knows how he’s going to play, but a lot of the time he plays well. He’s been a pretty key part of our team.”

When Avi examines his position and prepares for his shot, he calmly takes in his surroundings and remembers that he’s there to enjoy his sport.

“As a creative person, I think about hitting shots that no one else ever thinks about,” he said. “I like taking risks, as opposed to a lot of people who would rather play it safe. As a golfer, I really just want to have fun and pull off the best possible shot. Taking risks is not only more exhilarating; you only get one opportunity.”