UAE's sole golf pro "more focused" after military service

Sport360 staff 09:56 30/08/2016
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  • Al Musharrekh is high on self-belief.

    Ahmed Al Musharrekh believes fitness gained during military training will propel him to greater heights in his chosen profession as he tees up at the Dubai Creek Open next week.

    The UAE’s only golf professional recently completed mandatory national service for all Emiratis aged between 18 and 30.

    “I’m more focused, more disciplined and have a kind of quiet confidence about myself that I never had before,” he said. “I’m excited to be back and playing some serious golf to knock off the rust, if there is any. The swing feels good. The confidence is there as I have shot many rounds in the 60s and it’s just a question of getting more consistent.

    “The goal is to eventually get into contention week in and week out and then, hopefully, start winning golf tournaments.”

    Golf runs in Al Musharrekh’s family as his father, Mohammed, and both brothers – Abdulla and Hassan – have all represented the UAE in the regional circuit. But it is 25-year-old Ahmed who has decided to make a career out of golf.

    Being the only professional in the Gulf region, Ahmed feels he needs to make a move sooner than later and win at least one tournament on the MENA Golf Tour if he is to realise his dream of putting UAE golf on the map and inspire others to follow in his footsteps.

    “The (MENA) tour is getting bigger and better every year. The level of competition is becoming more intense, but I am confident I can embrace the challenges and opportunities with the right training and opportunities, with the right training and experience,” said Ahmed.

    His moment in the spotlight could well come at the Dubai Creek Open to be played at his home course from September 5 to 7.

    “It will be great to resume my golfing career on a course where I had my first golf lesson there as a six-year-old boy in 1994 as part of the Junior Development Programme by the UAE’s apex golf body,” said the Sharjah native.

    “I hope I can live up to the expectations.”

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