It's only when Ahmad Al Musharrekh gives us a demonstration of his golfing prowess by sending the ball soaring down the fairway with the precision of an Exocet missile that you realise how serious he is about the sport.
Until now he has been nothing less than an affable interviewee, breezing into the lobby of Emirates Golf Club bang on time, smiling incessantly and totally at ease with our photographer poking her lens in his face. He looks like he's just walked off the set of an R 'n' B pop video.
Twenty minutes later, the interview over, out comes the driver and, without so much as a practice shot, the 20-year-old Emirati demonstrates why he's the nearest thing the Arabian Gulf has to Tiger Woods.
Ahmad, who has been playing the game since the age of five, has ambitions of turning professional in the near future and is going the right way about it, winning an individual gold medal in the GCC Championship in February, as well as dozens of other trophies which must make for some sagging shelves on his bedroom walls. We spoke to Ahmad about his hopes, his dreams and the importance of striking a balance between the golf club and the classroom.
You're studying for a business degree at the American University, Dubai. Is it a struggle to balance your studies with your golf practice?
Luckily my university is just across the road from the club so I just have to do a U-turn to get here. I play golf five times a week, six maximum. I play nine holes which takes about two hours a day. My study time depends on whether I have exams.
You attended the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Florida. For how long were you there and what did you think of it?
I stayed there for two years full-time. It's a sports academy on a huge campus. They had all kinds of sports: baseball, football, basketball… Obviously it's really strict. There are all sorts of rules and curfews and things like that. They teach you how to manage your time really well. I picked that skill up from there and I'm using that now.
Presumably you were pretty well-disciplined before attending the academy?
I was, but it gave me a new challenge and took me to the next stage, which is the reason I went there. At first it was difficult to adapt. I went there when I was really young and I went alone, so I didn't know anyone.
I made friends later, but going there alone and starting something new and fresh was part of the experience. There were some kids from Egypt and Morocco but I was the only one from the Gulf.
What was the most important thing you gained from the academy?
I learnt about how I hard I'm going to have to work to get where I want to be. I know exactly how much effort it takes. That's when I realised I wasn't ready and decided to go back to college, play for the national team, play some more tournaments and get more experience. Most of the kids at the academy were better than me and their work ethic was greater than mine. I realised how much effort I'm going to have to put in.
You've just turned 20 and yet you're very committed. How do you manage to resist the distractions that surround the average modern teenager, such as video games, girls, cars, Facebook, parties…?
My older brother always tells me there's a time for everything. And he's managed his own life well. There's time for golf, time for studies, and once in a while you can go and see your friends and party and have a good time. If you've worked hard then you deserve a break.
Where do you get your competitive streak?
I've got six sisters and two older brothers so I'm from a huge family. Obviously my brothers and I are competitive amongst ourselves, but I'm naturally very competitive. It's one of the reasons I play tournaments, and golf in general. I like to win and I enjoy the feeling. It's as simple as that. Not just golf either but I swam for my high school team, played football… I just like being active and enjoy that winning feeling.
Are there any particular golf courses you dream of playing on?
I've always admired Pebble Beach, California. I've never been there. I've just seen it on TV and I'd definitely like to play there. If I ever get a shot to play the US Open there, that would be a huge achievement.
How do you cope when playing golf in the summer heat?
Well last year I went to England to train with the national team and I played in Chester and all over. I also went to Lebanon for a vacation and to play some golf. But I also play a lot of night golf at Dubai Creek Golf Club and I try to play in the mornings when it's a lot cooler.
What are your goals for the future?
Obviously, when I'm ready I'd like to give the pro circuit a shot. In the meantime it's to graduate from college and play for the national team. There are still a lot of tournaments I have yet to win, like the Arab Championship. There are a couple of opens in the country I haven't won too. Hopefully I will next year. And also I'd like to gain some more experience with European tour events and then hopefully I'll be ready to go out there and do my best.
Name: Ahmad Al Musharrekh
Age: 20
Nationality: Emirati
Favourite golfer: Tiger Woods
Lives in: Dubai
Other job: Business student at American University Dubai
