The power of dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering belief makes or breaks a player. It seems in Akshay Bhatia’s case, the job has been well done by his parents, Sunil ‘Sonny’ Bhatia and Renu Bhatia. After all, in his short career so far, the young sensation has already achieved eight top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour. “Shay” to his family and friends, has been brought up with a lot of love, support, and focus on the importance of mental health.

Golf was not a foreign term to this pro-golfer growing up, all thanks to his parents and older sister Rhea Bhatia, who went miles (quite literally) to make this dream come true. Not only did they offer him a roadmap and an early advantage, but they also accepted his unconventional choice to skip college and focus entirely on his game.

Diving deeper into the lives of Renu and Sunil Bhatia

These parenting marvels originally have their roots in India. While Renu Bhatia hails from Hyderabad, Sunil Bhatia comes from the country’s capital and heart, Delhi. First-generation Indian immigrants, the duo made their way to the United States in their lookout for better opportunities. They met one another in Northridge, California, got married, and settled there, before relocating to Wake Forest in 2011 for the sake of opportunity for their children. Professionally speaking, the pro golfer’s mother, Renu Bhatia, has experience working at a cruise liner ticketing agency and running her golf catering business on the side. Whereas, his father has devoted his years to working in the real estate arena.

Together, this couple had two kids: Rhea and Akshay Bhatia. They made sure to develop a love for the game of golf in their hearts early on. Their daughter, Rhea, graduated from Queen University in Charlotte. She was actively engaged in collegiate golf there, but it remains unknown if she continued her passions after. Their son, Akshay Bhatia, who is four years younger than their elder one, chose to skip college, a factor that played a crucial role in his long list of achievements at such a young age.

So what was their role in Bhatia’s success in the game?

Acclimated to golf early on, Bhatia’s parents knew the golden rule to succeed in the game: practice, and that’s exactly what they inculcated in their children growing up. The value of hard work and consistency. The passion for golf followed. In a nostalgic tone, Bhatia’s father shared a moment from his childhood when he woke him up in the middle of the night and asked, “Dad, how do I become the best player in the world?’”

Sonny Bhatia’s answer? Well, he explained to his young son the value of showing up early on the course and leaving late, the value of work ethic. It seems Bhatia has stood well to his father’s teachings through the years of being a junior, amateur, and a pro. Talking of his dreams, his father added, “His goal is not just to be a PGA player. He wants to be the number one player in the world.”

His mother, Renu Bhatia, was not far behind in helping him achieve his dreams. From making the tough choice to home-school him since 8th grade, to allowing him to live his life on his own terms and skip college, she stood by him like a rock. Her advice to parents of young golfers on their rough days? “Don’t be negative on them.” Despite what happens, this parenting duo remembers the importance of mental health in boosting a player’s game in this mentally testing sport amidst pressure and continues to focus on their son’s total well-being in light of his struggles with mental health and anxiety.

After all they have done for him, has Bhatia been able to fulfill their dreams? The short answer is a roaring yes, and here’s how!

Bhatia’s ‘Augusta’ promise to his mother

Akshay Bhatia shared his mom’s dream with the public, after his exciting second win on the Tour. Happy and enthralled as he was, he said, “My mom’s birthday was April 1 and her wish was to go to the Masters.”

With his efforts and sharp-eyed skills, he was able to fulfill Renu Bhatia’s Augusta dream earlier this year. Even though he could not win the challenge that the ANGC presented and finished with 6-over-par T35, his proud parents, along with his girlfriend, Presleigh Schultz, beamed with pride and hope.