No matter what level of golf you’re competing at, winning a tournament is hard. It’s even more difficult in the Middle East where the standard of amateur golf is so high. If you’re a scratch golfer nowadays, you’re often being left behind.
But for Dominic Morton, who moved to the UAE six years ago from the UK as a mid-handicapper, it’s time to take the next step. The 18-year-old recently claimed victory at the EGF Order of Merit Championship at Al Zorah in dramatic fashion beating his friend Viktor Kofod Olsen in a play-off to prove he’s ready for just that.
“I’ve been trying pretty hard recently,” Dominic explained. “It’s just good to see something pay off especially in an event where I’m playing against my friends, who are also the people who I play golf with every week. I know they’re at a good level so it’s good to compete with them all to a good standard, and win.
“Obviously, I got a load of confidence from it. I’m using that confidence to my advantage and just trying to practice away, keep doing what I’m doing. I must be doing something right, so I’m just working with that.”
It was a well-earned victory over 54 holes at the beginning of May in the heat with Al Zorah known as one of the more difficult courses out here. The Englishman shot 73-71-72 over three days and came up trumps with a birdie in the play-off to clinch the title.
“The heart rate over the final approach shot in the play-off was crazy,” he said while laughing. “Especially when I hit the shot and got it quite close. I hit it and was like ‘that’s good, that!’ It was a pretty good feeling. My heart rate was up, that’s for sure.”
It’s as cliché as ever with golf, but the most important shot is your next one. The memory of clinching that sweet victory will seem like a distant feeling now as he looks towards the future which involves a short stint competing in the UK before transiting to America on a one-way ticket.
The upcoming move to Odessa University in Texas on a golf scholarship in August is a route we’ve seen before. It’s a common move for aspiring professionals, albeit a brave one. The talent pool is so vast in America, but it’s arguably where you need to be to give yourself the best chance of making it.
“Seeing all the professionals nowadays, it’s a common route,” he said. “They’ve all gone through the college system and it got them to where they are today, doing really well and getting their name round. I want to follow their footsteps. The likes of Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland and Jordan Spieth all went to college and look at them competing at the highest level.”
There are also some more familiar faces in the form of Toby Bishop and Josh Hill who are also plying their trade in the States. Both are former UAE residents and well into their own respective stints in the American college system.
“I speak to Josh and catch up with him when I can,” added Dominic. “I played with him when he was in Dubai. Toby was also here a couple of months ago, so yeah, I haven’t lost contact with any of them.
“They’ve just said it’s how you write it up. It’s the home of golf at the end of the day in America. Everything you do out there, just make sure you do it to the best of your ability as it will pay off like you expect it to. Just try your hardest.”
With that said, it’s a monumental change of lifestyle that is set to test more than just his golfing ability. Being away from friends, family and home comforts are enough to test anybody’s resolve, but also what an unbelievable opportunity to pursue a dream.
“It’s a mix of emotions, but mostly excitement,” he says. “But there’s definitely nerves there, going out by myself and being without my family for a long time. Leaving them will be a bit weird, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.
“As soon as I land it will be straight into it. Getting picked for the team, then after that it’s straight into tournaments every week. Hopefully winning the championships at the end of the season.
“If I’m not keeping up with my academics then I won’t make the team, it’s as simple as that. I understand I’ve 100 percent got to be able to do both. I’m going to study business, I like it and it’s interesting. I started it last year, so carrying it on at University and hopefully getting a degree from it will be great.”
From my own personal perspective, Dom was the first local player I interviewed for Worldwide Golf back in 2022. It was also his first feature in the magazine. At that time, he had a steady head on his shoulders and an immense amount of raw talent.
Two years have passed since that interview, and it’s evident he’s matured significantly. He was already remarkably mature for his age, but he has made great strides towards his goals. He’s improved his game, won tournaments, and is now taking a huge next step towards becoming a professional.
“I think maturing has been a big part of it,” he says, when I asked what’s changed over the last two years. “Understanding the game a bit more and speaking to people who know a lot about the game with a lot of experience.
“Getting out there and playing is the best way to do it, rather than being on the range all the time. You can be a great range player, but you’ve got to know how to get the ball in the hole at the end of the day.
“It has been so good and I’ve learnt so much in this country. I know handicap doesn’t mean much, but I came here a few years ago from the UK playing off 20 odd, and now I’m off plus three. It’s matured me and got my golf to a much better standard than it was before. In one word, my experience in the UAE has been unreal.”
