Golf is often described as more than just a sport. For Emirati golfer Omar Bastaki, it has become a universal language—one that speaks of discipline, respect, perseverance, and community. His decision to leave behind a career in investment banking and pursue the rigorous PGA qualification is not only a personal transformation but also a mission to use golf as a platform for positive change.
From mentoring young Emirati athletes to collaborating with global wellness organisations, Bastaki’s journey represents a bridge between cultures, generations, and disciplines. It is a story rooted in the UAE’s rise as a global golf hub but aimed firmly at the world stage.
A Leap of Faith: From Finance to Fairways
Few career switches are as dramatic as leaving investment banking for professional sport. For Bastaki, however, the move was less about abandoning one world than discovering another.
“Golf mirrors life,” he explains. “In banking, every decision carries weight. In golf, every shot has consequences. Both demand discipline, focus, and resilience.”
As golf grew in visibility across the UAE, he noticed a gap: while young Emiratis were increasingly interested in the game, there were few Emirati professionals formally qualified to guide and inspire them. That realisation became the turning point.
“I was fortunate to learn under qualified PGA professionals,” he says. “But I understood that if we wanted to build a sustainable golfing culture, someone from my generation needed to step up. That’s why I left banking to pursue the PGA pathway.”
For Bastaki, the move was about far more than personal ambition. It was a commitment to represent his country on the international stage while simultaneously helping to cultivate a deeper golfing culture at home.
Growing the Game Beyond Borders
The UAE has long positioned itself as a crossroads of cultures, and golf is no exception. With world-class venues such as Emirates Golf Club, Yas Links, and Jumeirah Golf Estates, the country has become a destination for elite tournaments and a proving ground for local talent.
Bastaki sees this as an opportunity. “The UAE is uniquely positioned to inspire inclusivity in golf,” he says. “Our society brings together people of every background, and our facilities are world-class. That’s a model the rest of the world can learn from.”
His work with the Special Olympics UAE has been particularly meaningful. Competing as a unified partner alongside golfer Ali Saif Bin Summaidaa at the 2023 World Games in Germany, Bastaki helped secure a silver medal. The experience reinforced his belief that golf can be a tool for empowerment, especially for children of determination.
“The joy on a young person’s face when they hit a ball for the first time is priceless,” he recalls. “That moment alone makes all the effort worthwhile.”
Beyond inclusivity, Bastaki is also focused on affordability and accessibility. He champions the idea of introducing municipal golf courses in the UAE—shorter, less expensive facilities designed for beginners. “If implemented thoughtfully, such courses could open doors for a whole new generation,” he says.
Golf as a Platform for Health and Lifestyle
While many see golf as a sport of skill and patience, Bastaki views it as a lifestyle that can transform health and well-being. His own transition from finance to sport highlighted the need to prioritise both physical and mental performance.
In 2024, he partnered with The Brain & Performance Centre, a DP World company, undergoing hyperbaric oxygen treatments and a programme designed to enhance cognitive function. The results, he says, were remarkable: “My cognitive performance improved by around 30%. I was sharper, more energised, sleeping better. It was a pivotal step in preparing for professional golf.”
This focus extended to his collaboration with The Flow Space, a Dubai-based clinic specialising in physical longevity and gut health. Using data-driven assessments, they built a performance plan that now sees him swinging at tour-level speeds and competing with renewed resilience.
“Modern professional golf is about measurable standards,” he notes. “It’s not just about how far you hit the ball, but how clearly you think, how well you breathe, how you recover. These partnerships have helped me show that living well is inseparable from playing well.”
Through his social media platforms, Bastaki shares these insights openly, often posting not just polished practice sessions but also the days when motivation is low. “Honesty matters,” he says. “Not every day feels like a victory, but the discipline of showing up—that’s the real lesson.”
Inspiring a Generation
Perhaps the most defining aspect of Bastaki’s journey is his commitment to mentoring young athletes. He currently supports several emerging golfers, including Ali Saif Bin Summaidaa, the Special Olympics silver medallist, and Faye Mohammed AlBlooshi, who topped the Emirates Golf Federation’s women’s Order of Merit in the 2023/24 season.
“Every child deserves the chance to dream,” Bastaki says. “With Ali, I witnessed incredible resilience. With Faye, I saw the courage of a young Emirati girl determined to take on the world. Their stories remind me that if we create the right environment, amazing things can happen.”
This ethos also extends to his work with the Ajman Society of Social & Cultural Development, where he has helped organise golf sessions for young women from low-income families. At one event, some participants hit shots nearly 100 yards despite never having touched a club before. “They didn’t want to leave the course,” he recalls. “That joy—that’s the power of golf.”
Looking ahead, Bastaki is working on a structured programme with the Ajman Society to introduce Emirati girls to golf, using the sport not only to teach technique but also life skills like integrity, discipline, and even basic science through the physics of the swing.
The Road Ahead
As he continues his PGA studies and competitive journey, Bastaki is clear about his long-term vision. Over the next five years, he hopes to balance competing in select PGA events with mentoring the next generation of Emirati golfers. His broader mission, however, is timeless: to inspire young dreamers, wherever they may be.
“Whether it’s a child picking up a club in Dubai or a teenager on the other side of the world watching online, I want them to feel that their journey is possible too,” he says.
He also sees a strong future for regional competition. The relaunch of the MENA Golf Tour, he believes, is an essential step for Middle Eastern and North African golfers who dream of reaching the European or PGA Tours. “Every player needs a platform,” he says. “The MENA Tour provides that first stepping stone.”
And through it all, he remains rooted in the courses that shaped him. Emirates Golf Club, where he first held a membership, remains his “home of golf,” while Yas Links holds a special place as his second. His golfing hero? Seve Ballesteros, for his creativity, passion, and refusal to be bound by convention.
Building Bridges
For Omar Bastaki, golf is not simply about chasing titles or personal achievement. It is about building bridges—between cultures, between abilities, and between generations. His story reflects the UAE’s wider sporting ambition: to create a culture of excellence that resonates far beyond its borders.
“Ultimately,” he says, “if my journey inspires even one or two young people to dream bigger, then I have succeeded.”
