Golf amateurs need to work hard

Dubai: Desire and discipline, not facilities or abilities, will be the driving force behind one of the UAE's local amateur golfers turning professional, according to Emirates Golf Federation head coach Chris Vallendar.

Speaking after the success of the UAE team at last week's GCC Golf Championship held in Bahrain's Royal Golf Club, where the UAE finished second in the seniors (gross 701) and first in the juniors (gross 320), Vallendar said despite the triumph: "The boys lack the desire or realisation of the work it will take to become professional."

Congratulating the performances of Hassan Al Musharrekh, Sohail and Faisal Al Marzouqi in the juniors — of which Sohail (81-78 159) and Hassan (83-78 161) took second and third in the individual awards; Vallendar admitted this success, topped with the recently announced Mena Tour, would only help accelerate professionalism, provided someone wanted it badly enough.

Vallendar said: "Overall, we would have liked to have finished closer to Bahrain in the senior competition of the GCC Championships but discipline and our ability to adapt needs to improve. With our game we have the ability to beat any team in the Arab world."

Of Ahmad Al Musharrekh who won the senior division's individual title with a gross 225 (76-77-72) and consequently helped his team, including Khalid Yousuf, Abdullah Al Musharrekh and Nabeel Sharif, to second, 18 shots behind Bahrain, Vallendar said, "I see all the attributes to becoming professional in Ahmad but there is a lack of desire or understanding of what it takes to get there."

Asked how long it will take before one from the UAE's successful GCC Championship pack turned pro, Vallendar said: "If one of them decides to change things around and pursue the game full-time without a job. If they show the hunger and understand what it takes to get there, taking invites, training hard and playing week in, week out it will take two years before we see someone on tour."

"The Mannaseros and McIlroys of the European Tour played at three or four under aged 15, 16. Our boys haven't had this sort of exposure or opportunity. There's a lot to learn but they are capable of doing so."

Vallendar added The Mena Tour would provide local amateur players with a lifeline towards professionalism should they want it. "They are too used to the local Opens and the same environment. This will help raise their game against professionals, upping the pressure and standards required."

However, Vallendar reiterated The Mena Tour could only provide a platform and not guarantee the production of a professional — the player would have to want to do the rest.