I once asked Greg Norman his No1 reason why the Australian professional golfers do so well in tournaments across the world.
The legendary Great White Shark did not have to think much for the answer. “It’s just that we travel well. We seem to adjust wherever you take us.”
Going by Norman’s philosophy, Christofer Rahm seems to be making the right career decision. The 18-year-old Dubai-based Swede, recently crowned Emirates Golf Federation’s Men’s Order of Merit winner this season, is determined to become a professional golfer.
So far, thanks to his father Magnus’ job with Ericsson, he has lived in Sweden, Spain, Brazil and India, before moving to the UAE in 2014.
Winner of four of the 10 EGF Order of Merit events he participated in this season, the Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE) member Rahm is planning to spend another year playing amateur golf in the UAE. He will then go to the United States for college golf, and turn pro while earning his degree.
“It was nice to secure the Order of Merit win this year. I played in a few EGF tournaments last year, but wasn’t a member until late in the season,” said Rahm, who secured a couple of second place finishes in 2014-15.
“But this year was different. I played consistently throughout the year. I may not have scored very low rounds, but I was very consistent. The only tournament I did not play well was at the JGE. Maybe, I was feeling the home pressure.”
Having finished his school (American School of Dubai) this week, Rahm is planning to take a gap this year in studies, but there is a good reason for that.
“I want to take a break from my studies to focus on golf. I want to practice a lot and play several tournaments this year,” said Rahm who aspires to join the Northwestern University in Chicago because of the quality of their golf team and playing facilities in the campus.
“I will play the EGF events, and I am going to play on the MENA Golf Tour. The main thing is that I want to improve further as a golfer before I go to the US. I do want to get a degree, but I am determined to play golf professionally.”
Having lived in various parts of the world, Rahm is loving it in Dubai. “I enjoy it a lot. The UAE is a great place to live, and even more so if you are a golfer. The golf courses and the practice facilities are great and so is the weather,” said Rahm.
“I practice at the European Tour Performance Institute (ETPI) in JGE. They have great facilities and some very good coaches. I was training with Mathew Parker there. Unfortunately, he moved on, but we are still in touch.
“The last time I was in Sweden, all my friends were coaching indoors. That’s never an issue here in Dubai. I do not mind the summer heat and prefer it to cold weather any day.”
The effect of travel shows on Rahm. While fellow Swede Henrik Stenson is his favourite golfer, his childhood idol was the late Seve Ballesteros.
“Of all the golfers, I love Henrik. What I like most about him is he is always up there, but more importantly, he is a very good human being,” said Rahm.
“But growing up in Spain, I idolized Seve. I loved his imagination on the golf course.
“I feel I am a bit like Seve. I am not all about technique. I like being creative on the golf course like him.”
Rahm understands he is about to embark on a difficult journey, and says this would not have been possible without the support of his parents Magnus and Cecilia.
“What I have achieved and what I dream could not have been possible without them. Even after a bad round, they are there to encourage me. Really, they are my biggest fans,” he added.
