Dubai: Dubai-based teenager Dominic Morton is ready to test his mettle in the Amateur Golf in England over the next couple of weeks, where he will play 72-holes in a gruelling two-day schedule. The 16-year-old, who plays out of Trump International Golf Club in Dubai, aims to follow in the footsteps of fellow Trump members Josh Hill and Toby Bishop. Morton looks back on his growth path and also talks about his future plans. Excerpts…
Tell us a bit about yourself and where you play golf now?
I am 16 years old, a member of Dubai’s Trump International Golf Club. I play off a current handicap of +2.4 and I am coached by Teaching Professional Ian Clark at TIGC. We live in DAMAC Hills, which is just over the fence from the Trump golf course, a perfect location. I spend all my time on the course.
Where and when did you start playing golf?
I was born in Wigan, England, and started playing golf at around four at Rossendale Golf Club, which is between Bury and Blackburn in Lancashire. My dad was a good golfer, so he tells me, and he has represented the county many times as well as gaining an England Cap and had a +1 handicap. Bob Torrance was our Club Pro at Rossendale. I moved to Dubai with my family about three and half years ago with my dad’s work.
How has your golf game been recently and you are travelling shortly to play in some top amateur events in England. Tell us about these?
Last year I perhaps did not take the game of golf too seriously. I always played all sports, including: football, swimming, athletics, bike riding and others. Due to the overlapping schedules, I had to concentrate on one sport. Following a recent bike accident that stopped me playing golf for seven months, I decided to now focus on my golf. I also have a personal trainer, Alan Walters, who manages my golf fitness programme at FITLAB at Emirates Golf Club. I recently won the Trump International Summer Open at my home club, going around in one over par in challenging conditions, which I was pleased with.
In England, I will be playing in the Pines Trophy and the Royal Birkdale Silver Goblet over the August 13-14 weekend, playing 36 holes a day on both Hillside Golf Club and Royal Birkdale Golf Club. These are two big amateur tournaments that combine to form a 72-hole weekend that boasts World Amateur Ranking Points, which these days are very important to get noticed by both National selectors and potential career contacts. I have never walked 72 holes in two days, so that will be an experience for me.
Do you play golf at school here in Dubai?
I was on the School Golf Team and part of the School Golf Club at GEMS Wellington School in Dubai. We played matches against other schools as well as an interschool league initiative, but it all stopped with Covid.
Tell us all about your recent appointment as a Titleist Amateur Ambassador?
I have just been appointed a Titleist Amateur Ambassador, with support from ProSports International and Stuart Taylor from their Head Office here in Dubai.
What are your golfing plans, both short and long-term?
I have two years more of education at GEMS Wellington School in Dubai with my IB Programme and then I hope to go to the US on a golf scholarship following in the steps of my good friends and fellow Trump members; Josh Hill and Toby Bishop.
