A day with: Al Musharrekh - The only Emirati pro golfer

Matt Jones - Editor 08:24 02/06/2016
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  • Ahmed Al Musharrekh.

    Golfer Ahmed Al Musharrekh carries the weight of a nation on his shoulders as the only Emirati professional.

    Not that the responsibility bothers the 25-year-old, who is happy shouldering the burden. He is a warm and engaging character, always laughing, but he believes he has a responsibility to help fellow Emiratis follow in his footsteps.

    He is aware his performance in the future will be key to putting UAE golf on the map and inspiring others.

    After winning team gold medals in the 2011 Arab Games, claiming the 2012 GCC Championship title confirmed his talent. He’s currently competing on the MENA Tour but is dreaming of one day making it big in Europe or America.

    Earlier this year, he competed at the Gary Player Invitational at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club in Abu Dhabi and spoke to Sport360.

    Is it lonely being the only Emirati professional golfer?

    There’s none at the moment, so I’m the only one. I turned pro three years ago and have been on the journey since. I had last year off because of national service in the navy, which was mandatory, but a great experience. I’m excited to be back now playing golf and moving on with the game.

    What’s it been like since you turned pro?

    It’s been a huge change. It’s more physically and mentally challenging, on and off the course. It’s not like having a hobby where you’re just a boy and having fun playing, carefree and happy, with nothing on your shoulders. All of a sudden, you turn pro and you’ve got all this expectation, from yourself, but also externally. That’s been a huge shift, having to play with that and dealing with stuff off the course, like social media, sponsorships, and having to grow up. It’s something I’ve had to deal with. But we see great examples of this on tour, you see all these young guys thriving and dealing with things in a fantastic way, so it just gives me a push to keep going and see where I get to.

    Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship - Day One

    You’re back on the MENA Tour this year. What is the aim?

    I want to do well on the tour. It’s competitive but it’s also on my local ground. If I play my best I think I can win tournaments. So we’ll see what happens.

    What were some of the biggest challenges about turning pro for you and how did you do it?

    I had to make that move. I was in my second year at university, doing great and enjoying it, taking business management and learning a lot. I sat down with my coach Wayne Johnson at Jumeirah Golf Estates and we were talking about ambitions. He said if I wanted to do it, I had to do it then. There was no point waiting another two years, because I’d start drifting away from the game. The competition is always getting better. We see that on the tours. All these young guys, even the older guys, are shooting great numbers, so Wayne said the longer I leave it, the more I was losing out on these opportunities. Time is ticking and I was not getting younger, so we came up with the decision. I turned pro two weeks after that.

    What was the toughest part about taking the plunge?

    The shift in mentality from amateur to professional. The numbers are getting so low. I can shoot the numbers, it’s just that shooting them for four days is something you have to get used to. All these guys are playing week in, week out. I’m just excited to get in there and see what I can do.

    What’s been the most enjoyable thing for you since making the decision?

    Making the move and being the first Emirati professional. It’s a nice position to be in and it’s a further motivation to do well. Hopefully, others will follow. We’ve opened the first foundation for UAE nationals (Ahmed Al Musharrekh Foundation). They’re looking up to me so knowing that kids are looking at you and idolising you, it pushes you to do better.

    The 2016 Abu Dhabi Invitational - Day 2

    Above winning the MENA Tour, what are your ambitions for the future?

    Moving into the US, playing in Europe, I think that’s the ultimate goal for any golfer. I’m not sure how far I am from doing that. I wish it could happen right now but I think I will have to take it one day at a time. That’s all I can do, play my game, eat good food, do my workouts in the gym and let it work itself out.

    Do you think we could have a handful of Emirati professionals following in your footsteps in the future?

    Absolutely. My success will dictate that. If I can get a tour card in the US or Europe, the kids here would be more pushed to follow me and there are so many talented golfers. At Sharjah Golf Club, they’re taking really good care of youngsters. In Dubai with the Emirates Golf Federation they have a lot of kids moving up the ladder, training and competing hard. In Abu Dhabi, we now have the HSBC programme. So there’s a lot of hope.

    Why was it golf for you as a kid?

    Easy answer. It was different. I played basketball, football, baseball, and was actually not a bad footballer, but there was something about golf. It’s just you out there, and I think every golfer can relate to that. Your emotions, feelings, body and mind all has to be one. It’s up to you, there’s no manager or team-mates, it’s just you out there and you need to execute. I fell in love with the fact that you have to rely on yourself and master yourself in order to play well.

    Who was your idol?

    Tiger Woods. Definitely. He’s a legend and in my eyes he’s still the greatest that’s ever lived, regardless of what everyone else says. I still think he’ll come back. I met him at the Dubai Desert Classic in 2006 and hit a few shots with him. That was the only opportunity I had but he was a great guy. I hit a few shots and we had a good vibe going.

    What’s the one tournament above any else that you want to play in?

    Any major. That’s any professional golfer’s dream. Hopefully if I can ace the Desert Classic next year or one of those big local tournaments I could get an invitation to play in one. That would be fantastic.

    Who’s your favourite golfer to watch?

    There are so many. I like Bryon DeChambeau the US amateur who turned pro after The Masters in April. I played the pro-am with him at Abu Dhabi nvitational in January. There are different names up there all the time because the level is so high. Rory McIlroy was dominating two years ago and now you’ve got amateurs up at that level.

    Away from golf, what other sports and teams do you like?

    I’m a big football fan and I like Real Madrid and watching Ronaldo play. I’m always impressed by him. He’s 30 but still has it going on and can still compete at that level. He’s a special athlete.

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