Some golfers are born into the game. Others stumble across it later and never look back. For UAE national Abdulaziz M. Murad, golf wasn’t love at first sight, but when it came, it was the start of something special.
He’d always been athletic, but it was his family – his dad, uncles, cousins, and even his best friend – who lit the spark.
“My dad played for a while, along with my uncles and cousins. Even my best friend has been a longtime golfer. They all inspired me to pick the game back up after being away from it for a while,” Abdulaziz recalls.
What started as a casual return soon became an obsession. Within months, he wasn’t just playing, he was competing, achieving milestones most golfers spend years chasing.
Unlike many of the UAE’s young amateurs, Abdulaziz didn’t grow up swinging a club. But rather than seeing his later start as a disadvantage, he views it as a gift.
“I wouldn’t really call it a challenge, because I’ve been enjoying the journey,” he says. “What’s helped me a lot in golf is that I’ve been athletic since childhood, so that made a big difference. I’ve been enjoying the game ever since I started hitting balls.”
That natural sporting ability paid off quickly. Before his first anniversary with the game, Abdulaziz achieved what many golfers never manage in a lifetime: a hole-in-one.
“I think one thing I’m really proud of, even though I don’t usually say it, is getting a hole-in-one after just 11 months of playing golf. It was a very special moment for me. It happened at Jebel Ali, Hole 3.”
The shot cemented his love for the sport. From that moment, he was hooked.
Abdulaziz is quick to credit his circle of friends, who have been golfing for decades.
“Most of the support I got was from my friends, who are longtime golfers, some have been playing for 20 years, others for 15. We all play together, and they’ve really supported me in a big way.”
That community has helped him embrace the game fully, both on home soil and abroad. His most treasured course remains Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
“It’s where I started playing golf, and it’s such an iconic course. It means a lot to me because it’s where I first started learning and playing on a golf course.”
But golf has also taken him further afield. His recent tournaments include the DP World Race to Dubai Pro-Am and the Royal Bled Pro-Am in Slovenia, where he teed it up alongside DP World Tour pro Niklas Nørgaard.
“It was a great experience, playing with the pros and learning from them. I really enjoyed it a lot.”
Of course, no golfer’s journey is complete without the right tools, and Abdulaziz has already found his go-to club. “The last club I bought was the Qi35 5-wood, and it was the one club I was really missing. It’s satisfying to hit, I can get around 260 to 265 yards with it. It’s been a big help on par fives, especially for second shots that reach the green, and it’s helped me get a few eagles.”
For anyone considering golf later in life, Abdulaziz’s advice is simple. “Have patience. That’s really important in golf. I’ve got a lot of it myself, and it’s helped me a lot along the way.”
He also leans heavily on the guidance of Damjan Murgelj, a pro at Emirates Golf Club and a close friend. “Damjan has been both a coach and mentor to me. He’s helped shape my game massively.”
As for his idols, there’s no debate. “Tiger, Tiger always,” he says with conviction. His dream round would be alongside Woods, with a little comic relief from Happy Gilmore rather than Caddyshack.
Looking ahead, Abdulaziz is focused on steady improvement rather than silverware. “I’m working on lowering my handicap and playing more golf courses around the world. I’m really looking forward to experiencing even more golf globally.”
From family inspiration to a hole-in-one in less than a year, Abdulaziz’s story is proof that golf is a game for life – whether you start at six or 36. With Tiger as his idol, Dubai Creek as his home, and patience as his secret weapon, his golfing journey has only just begun.
