When it comes to career paths, it’s fair to say that ‘international DJ’ and ‘pro golfer’ are somewhat diverse, aside from the common requirement of having good rhythm.
But Dubai-based Englishman Chris Roberts who has DJ’d all over the world in locations such as London, Ibiza, Paris and Miami, is making the transition into a becoming a PGA Professional by taking part in an overseas PGA programme based at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Growing up playing with talents as lofty as Justin Rose and Ross Fisher as a junior, Roberts could never envisage a golfing career materialising. But his progress in the music world was swift and after mastering the decks, he turned his attentions back to his first love, practicing during his free time and developing his game to become a scratch golfer before turning pro last October.
“I wanted to get back in to golf, I looked at the longevity, maybe in ten year’s time I won’t be spinning the decks so I wanted to look into something that I’m passionate about,” says Roberts who works in player relations at Jumeirah Golf Estates. “I live in and breathe golf so I thought this would be the best decision for me.”
Being an international DJ means being able to adapt your act to different crowds and environments and its clear Chris utilises the same talent when it comes to adapting his golf game to win over different golf courses after triumphing in his first UAE PGA event on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
“I went out there with no expectations, I was playing with enjoyment, I felt no pressure and I was looking around thinking to myself how lucky I am to be here competing in Dubai,” says Roberts. “ I started with a birdie and managed to keep it together and shoot the winning score.”
Playing music to thousands of people must be knee shaking, but Roberts revealed that it was nothing compared to the nerves he felt when he had to give his winner’s speech in front of his fellow competitors at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
“I’ve performed in front of lots of people over the years and I’m used to this,” he says. “But when I was asked to speak when I won the event, I went up to do the speech and couldn’t actually talk, I was choked! Maybe it was due to being the first time, I was just so proud of what I had achieved.”
Chris had the home advantage, being attached to Jumeirah Golf Estates, but the Earth course really makes you think from the tee to the green. You have to be versatile with different shots and ensure you’re in the correct position at all times. “It’s the home of the DP World Tour Championship,” says Chris who has set himself the goal of making the prestigious Dubai Trophy Team. “You picture yourself playing in that as you’re walking down the fairways.”
In normal circumstances, golfers wishing to gain the PGA qualification must complete a three-year course in the UK. But Roberts wrote to the PGA and was able to gain special dispensation to participate in the programme while being based in Dubai as long as he committed to making two trips back to the UK each year to take exams at The Belfry.
His dream was almost over before it started when he was unable to find a placement at a golf club – a requirement of the course which was due to start in a matter of days.
“It was a race against time but I managed to get a placement at Jumeirah Golf Estates on the final day before the PGA application,” he says. “All thanks to Steven Hubner from Dubai Golf for having the same vision and believing in me, giving me the opportunity to be eligible to do the course.”
While his ‘remote learning’ method of completing the PGA course is certainly not common – Roberts feels that being based at Jumeirah Golf Estates and absorbing world-class coaching methods from the Peter Cowen Academy can only be an advantage and will stand him in good stead for his upcoming career as a professional golfer.
Follow Chris’ progress on his Instagram:
@chrisrobertsdj
