M A I N   N E W S

Atwal in dock after fatal car crash
Ashish Kumar writes from Washington

Arjun Atwal, the first player from India on the professional golf circuit in the United States, is being investigated by the police after a reported high-speed car crash left one driver dead in Florida on Saturday evening. Atwal was not injured in the accident that took place near Orlando.

According to the local law enforcement officers, the golfer was racing his BMW car with a Mercedes-Benz coupe driven by 48-year-old John Noah Park. The Orlando Sentinel reported that Park, who was killed in the accident, crashed his car into a tree with such force that his car’s axle was tossed into the upper branches.

Atwal (33), also lost control at the bend in the winding road near Windermere but his car spun out on the side of the road. The two cars did not collide.

The Sentinel quoted a law-enforcement official as saying that Atwal could face criminal charges in the crash. “What they were doing, whether or not one was mad - we don’t know yet,” Kim Miller, a Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman, said. “They were both old enough to know better.” She told the Associated Press, “At a minimum, he is facing a charge of engaging in a street race. We have to see if this crash rises to the level of any other charges.” Atwal was unavailable for comment. However, Robert Kreusler, president and CEO of Blue Giraffe Sports, the player management company that represents Atwal, issued a statement on behalf of the golfer and his family.

“Arjun, his wife Sona, and the remainder of his family extend their deepest condolences to the family of John N. Park. Even though Arjun and his family did not know Park, they cannot fathom the unimaginable pain that his family must be going through. Their constant thoughts and prayers are with the Park family at this time,” it said.

“Arjun would very much like to address the media about the circumstances of this accident, but obviously cannot do so at this time because of the investigation being conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol. We ask that members of the press and the public do not rush to make a judgement about what occurred here, because once all of the facts have been gathered and the investigation completed, it will be abundantly clear that this was simply a horrible accident and tragedy, with no one at fault,” the statement added.

According to his website, Atwal is the first native of India to join the PGA Tour after qualifying in 2003.

“Arjun has posted six professional victories, including two on the European Tour. He became the first player on the Asian PGA to surpass $1 million in career earnings in 2003,” his site says.

Born in Asansol, Atwal started playing golf at Royal Calcutta Golf Club, after being encouraged to take up the game by his father, Bindi, at age 14. He is ranked 322nd on the PGA Tour money list this year with $25,346 in 2007 earnings.

He studied at Nassau Community College in Long Island, New York, where he studied liberal arts for two years. Atwal is settled in Florida with his wife and son.