Dubai: As young and upcoming golfers in the region go, few have got as firm a handle on the reins as 16-year-old Daniel Hendry from Emirates Golf Club.
With a handicap of +3 he's currently top of the junior (gross) order of merit, (which he won last year and came second in two consecutive seasons before), and now second in the men's version.
Granted it's only after one round of the seven- and twelve-stage junior and men's series respectively, but chatter on the greens is all about how far this youngster can go.
After an U18 Scotland call-up in July this year, the first time a youngster based in the UAE has achieved selection from abroad, Hendry putted the winner in a victory over England in August's Boys Home International tournament — Scotland finished second only to Ireland.
Now the target is to continue his current form in Dubai in order to stay in the Scotland squad, while striving for sound appearances in the qualifier for the Desert Classic in January and the Daily Telegraph Championships in Abu Dhabi from November 25, to attract the gaze of US Universities.
He won through to The Daily Telegraph championships, which fields the UK top eleven as a UAE representative with October victory in the Abu Dhabi Junior Open.
Solid pick
Speaking to Gulf News Hendry said: "After that surprise call-up I just want to continue for two more years in the Boys category with Scotland and become a solid pick for the future."
Having lived in Dubai for eight years the Aberdonian added, "I'm essentially playing all year round with the full UK season and then the UAE circuit too .... So it's beneficial being based here."
Hendry's trainer Mark Gregson Walters said, "It's not easy to go to the UK and prove your worth as Dan has done when he's developed his game in the UAE. There's massive difference in the way the ball flies to the design of course over and above just climate."
Hendry fancies his luck in the Men's Order of Merit with a top three objective providing his temperamental putting doesn't let him down. "I can even win it if I play at my full ability." While of the Desert Classic Hendry said, "It would be a massive feather in my cap if I could win the qualifier. When I look at myself in comparison to the competition I feel I could go and win a slot." Meanwhile he's not as nervous about The Daily Telegraph tournament now that he's played against the UK's best on international duty. Gregson Walters added, "He's done well to take all his opportunities to date and has some massive ones round the corner also."
But of the talent-drain that affects the UAE's local golf scene between each season, as youngsters leave university, Hendry pledges not to be part of that trend.