From becoming the UAE’s first professional golfer to welcoming Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy to Dubai, Ismail Sharif has been at the heart of the country’s golfing journey for more than three decades.
Few individuals have had a greater influence on the development of golf in the UAE than Ismail Sharif. From discovering the game by chance in the early 1990s to becoming the nation’s first professional golfer, Sharif has witnessed every stage of the sport’s remarkable rise. In this exclusive interview, he reflects on the growth of UAE golf, memorable encounters with legends, the challenges facing the game and why he believes the next decade could produce a new generation of homegrown stars.
Q: You became the UAE’s first professional golfer. Looking back, what first drew you to the game and what challenges did you face developing as a left-handed player?
Ismail Sharif: My introduction to golf happened completely by accident in 1992 when a friend invited me to visit a small pitch-and-putt course next to the Hyatt Regency Dubai. At the time I knew absolutely nothing about the game, but something about it immediately intrigued me.
A few days later I visited Emirates Golf Club and discovered just how difficult the game really was. Being left-handed created additional challenges because equipment and coaching options were extremely limited. Rather than discouraging me, it motivated me. I wanted to prove that an Emirati could excel in golf just as well as anyone else. What started as curiosity quickly became a personal mission.
Q: When you turned professional, did you ever imagine golf in the UAE would reach the level it enjoys today?
Ismail Sharif: I’ve always believed it would because our leadership has consistently aimed for excellence. The vision was always to create world-class facilities and experiences.
I was fortunate to be involved with the Dubai Desert Classic from its earliest days and witnessed first-hand how Dubai established a reputation for delivering exceptional hospitality. Those standards became a major factor in attracting golfers and tourists from around the world.
Today we have some of the finest golf facilities anywhere on the planet, and that success didn’t happen by accident. It was built through vision, planning and an unwavering commitment to quality.
Q: You’ve seen UAE golf evolve from its infancy. What have been the biggest positive changes and what challenges remain?
Ismail Sharif: The growth in facilities, participation and international recognition has been incredible. However, I still believe our biggest challenge is accessibility.
The UAE has an abundance of world-class championship courses, but we need more affordable, entry-level facilities where beginners can learn the game without significant financial barriers. If golf is to continue growing, we need a broader base to support the pyramid.
One of my proudest initiatives was helping launch the “Get Into Golf” programme. By reducing the cost of coaching and making the game more approachable, we saw significant numbers of beginners become long-term golfers and club members.
Q: The UAE golfing scene has overcome numerous challenges over the years. How confident are you in its ability to rebound from the current situation?
Ismail Sharif: Extremely confident. The UAE has demonstrated remarkable resilience through economic downturns, regional challenges and even the pandemic.
People choose to live here because they trust the country, its leadership and the quality of life it offers. Golf benefits directly from that confidence. Club memberships remain strong, demand continues to grow and the long-term outlook remains exceptionally positive.
Q: How important have tournaments such as the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and the DP World Tour been in accelerating golf’s growth?
Ismail Sharif: They have been absolutely fundamental.
Firstly, they showcase our courses and facilities to a global audience. Golf tourists watch these events and immediately want to come and play the same courses they see on television.
Secondly, they inspire local players. Having the world’s best golfers compete in your backyard creates aspirations and provides learning opportunities that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere.
Q: How proud are you to see the emergence of UAE National players such as Ahmad Skaik and Rayan Ahmed?
Ismail Sharif: Very proud. They are talented young players who have worked extremely hard to reach their current level.
The reality of professional golf is that talent alone isn’t enough. It requires enormous commitment, discipline and sacrifice. Ahmad and Rayan understand that and continue to work tirelessly.
They have strong support from the UAE Golf Federation and are helping demonstrate what is possible for the next generation of Emirati golfers.
Q: Why has it taken time for local players to break through, and can their success inspire others?
Ismail Sharif: Historically, access was the biggest challenge. Unlike football, golf required significant commitment from parents in terms of transport, time and financial investment.
Fortunately, those barriers have gradually reduced. More Emirati families are embracing golf as part of their lifestyle, and that cultural shift is producing results.
Success stories such as Ahmad and Rayan are hugely important because they give young players role models they can relate to.
Q: What more can golf clubs, schools and governing bodies do to make golf more appealing to UAE Nationals?
Ismail Sharif: Every golf club should take ownership of developing local talent.
I believe a practical model would be for each club to support a small group of dedicated Emirati juniors. If every course in the UAE invested in six to eight talented youngsters, we would quickly create a powerful development network across the country.
That approach would be sustainable, cost-effective and highly effective in producing future national team players.
Q: You’ve spent time with some of golf’s biggest stars, including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. What are those conversations like away from the spotlight?
Ismail Sharif: People often assume conversations revolve around golf, but most of the time they’re surprisingly normal and relaxed.
What has always impressed me is the professionalism and discipline of elite players. I remember Tiger Woods arriving in Dubai after a long flight and heading straight to the gym instead of resting. That level of dedication helps explain why he achieved so much.
Rory McIlroy is another wonderful character. He has always enjoyed a laugh and has a genuine affection for Dubai because the city played such an important role in launching his global career.
Q: Of all the golfing legends you’ve met, which encounter stands out most?
Ismail Sharif: Without question, Seve Ballesteros.
He wasn’t just a golfing genius; he was an extraordinary human being. We became good friends over the years and he genuinely loved visiting the UAE.
Even today, whenever I step onto a golf course, I think about Seve. His charisma, warmth and passion for the game made him unforgettable.
Q: Is there a piece of advice from one of those legends that has stayed with you?
Ismail Sharif: Absolutely. Tiger Woods once told me: “Stay away from the ball when you’re going back and stay away from the ball when you’re coming through.”
It sounds simple, but it was brilliant advice about maintaining space, posture and balance throughout the swing. To this day, it remains the best technical tip I’ve ever received.
Q: What are your thoughts on the relaunch of the MENA Golf Tour?
Ismail Sharif: I think it’s a fantastic concept and an important opportunity for players across the region.
The key will be ensuring clear pathways to higher-level tours. If players can see a structured route from the MENA Golf Tour to the HotelPlanner Tour, DP World Tour or Asian Tour, it becomes a genuinely powerful development platform.
Q: Can the MENA Golf Tour help produce a homegrown UAE player on the DP World Tour or PGA Tour?
Ismail Sharif: Yes, but only if those pathways remain strong and clearly defined.
Any developmental tour needs to be connected to the wider professional ecosystem. If players know success will lead to opportunities at the next level, the tour can become a genuine launchpad for regional talent.
Q: If you could fast-forward ten years, what would success look like for golf in the UAE?
Ismail Sharif: Success would be seeing multiple UAE National players competing regularly on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.
The foundations are already in place. We have world-class facilities, elite coaching academies and strong support from organisations such as DP World and the UAE Golf Federation.
I genuinely believe the next decade could be transformational.
Q: Having played such a pivotal role in the development of golf in the UAE, what achievement are you personally most proud of?
Ismail Sharif: Honestly, I’m most proud of finding a sport that has brought me so much happiness throughout my life.
I still wake up every morning excited to contribute to the industry. Golf has given me incredible opportunities, wonderful friendships and the chance to represent a country that I love deeply.
Q: Finally, what advice would you give a young Emirati boy or girl dreaming of a career in professional golf?
Ismail Sharif: Be patient and respect the process.
Too many young players rush straight onto championship courses before mastering the fundamentals. I spent six months practising on the range and par-three course before I ever played a full course.
Build a strong foundation, learn the basics properly and fall in love with the game. If you do that, everything else becomes possible.
