Dubai: Sandy Meyer, the UAE's only lady golf professional, is not setting herself any specific targets when she competes in the Dubai Ladies Masters, starting today at the Emirates Golf Club.
The Arabian Ranches Golf Club pro, who was handed a sponsor's invite to play in the Euro 500,000 event, said she really was looking forward to rubbing shoulders with the likes of Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb.
"At the moment I'm very excited," she said. "I think my main focus will be to hit my first tee shot, and get it over with. I'm sure I'll be nervous on the tee but I just want to get that first shot out of the way."
A familiar face in golfing circles for the past 10 years, Meyer said she was not going to get carried away at the prospect of playing in such a prestigious event.
"It's probably a one-off experience, I don't really know," she said. "I just want to go out and play my best golf and to really enjoy myself.
"I'm not putting any pressure on myself. But if I make the cut that will be a dream come true."
South African-born Meyer fell in love with the game when she was just 11 and what began as a mere hobby has become today a full-time career.
She started her career as a professional caddie on the European Tour to gain some experience of life on the tour.
"It was an amazing experience and I met many of the top golfers and learnt so much about tournament golf," she said.
Meyer joined the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club when it was opened in 1991. Eventually she moved on to become Golf Administrator.
"I remained in this position for a few years and then my duties increased and I became tournament coordinator and secretary in 1994.
"During this time, I took the opportunity to turn professional through the British Professional Golfers Association. This training involved covering all aspects of the game in the three years course, yearly visits to the UK to attend residential courses and meet our tutors.
"Since leaving Dubai Creek in 2001 and taking a two-year break, an opportunity came up at Arabian Ranches Golf Club, in 2004.
"This has given me a chance to focus entirely on teaching the game of golf, from beginners to more established players, including men, ladies and juniors," she said. "At the moment, however, my thoughts are on the Dubai Ladies Masters."
