Shames Al Hashemi on Golf, Legacy and Leadership
As he prepares to assume the captaincy of Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, the vice captain reflects on a life shaped by the fairways—and the values learned along the way
In the panelled comfort of Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, Shames Al Hashemi carries himself with the easy confidence of someone equally at home closing business deals as he is reading a tricky green. As Vice Captain of one of the UAE’s most prestigious golfing institutions—and soon-to-be captain come January—Al Hashemi represents a new generation of Emirati golf leadership, one that bridges tradition with vision, passion with pragmatism.
His journey into golf began, as many great golf stories do, with a father’s gentle insistence. When asked which sport he wanted to pursue as a youngster, Al Hashemi’s first choice was ice hockey, inspired by a childhood obsession with The Mighty Ducks. His father had other ideas. The compromise? Golf and rugby—one to cultivate focus and discipline, the other to channel youthful energy. It was a decision that would shape not just his sporting life, but his entire approach to business and relationships.
“Golf forces you to calm your mind and make deliberate, confident decisions,” Al Hashemi explains, his words carrying the wisdom of someone who has learned to apply the game’s lessons far beyond the eighteenth hole. “It teaches patience, discipline, and when to take calculated risks—all of which translate directly into business.”
From Family Business to Personal Vision
The parallels between golf and entrepreneurship are not lost on him. After nearly a decade working within the family business, Al Hashemi took what he describes as the most defining moment of his career: founding his own investment company with his brother. The decision to carve an independent path, he says, felt like winning a major championship in his professional life.
“I felt it was time to focus on work that genuinely motivated me—not just following instructions,” he reflects. It was a bold step, but one that embodies the very principles golf had instilled in him since childhood. Just as a golfer must decide when to lay up and when to go for the green, professional life demands knowing when to play conservatively and when to take calculated risks.
Through it all, his father remains his greatest influence—chairman, mentor, and source of endless wisdom. Sharing an office means constant exposure to lessons about conducting oneself with integrity, building meaningful relationships, and staying grounded regardless of success. “He always taught me: never judge a relationship by what you can gain, but by the person’s character,” Al Hashemi says, a principle that has clearly guided both his business dealings and his approach to the clubhouse.
The Golf Bug and the Modern Game
Like many who have fallen under the spell of the sport, Al Hashemi acknowledges that the “golf bug” never truly releases its grip. The challenge of balancing countless hours on the course with professional commitments is real, but modern technology has made it manageable. Whether working from the office or the clubhouse, he’s learned to integrate both worlds seamlessly.
The post-Covid landscape has only reinforced this integration. “With the post-Covid boom, the golf course has become one of the best places to meet people and uncover new business opportunities,” he notes. Golf’s early reopening after lockdowns accelerated global interest in the sport, and the UAE has been perfectly positioned to capitalise on this momentum.
His approach to the game itself has evolved considerably from his competitive youth. Where once the mindset was simply to win, today it’s about enjoyment and camaraderie. He rarely practises—if he’s at the club, he’d rather play than hit balls on the range. “Since I’m not paid to play golf, I don’t put pressure on myself to get better,” he says with characteristic candour. Success now means something simpler and more immediate: beating his friends while enjoying great golf.
Nurturing the Next Generation
Yet beneath this relaxed personal approach lies a serious commitment to the sport’s future in the Emirates. Al Hashemi sees this post-Covid surge as a pivotal opportunity to introduce young Emiratis to golf’s unique possibilities. Unlike team sports, golf’s individual nature makes identifying and nurturing talent more straightforward, and a single exceptional player can have major impact on national teams.
“I hope to play a small part in encouraging the next generation to pick up the game and excel,” he says. The UAE’s visionary leadership—both governmental and within the Emirates Golf Federation under H.E. General Abdulla Al Hashmi—has created an environment where such aspirations can flourish. Al Hashemi is genuinely excited about the milestones ahead and committed to supporting that journey.
His advice to young golfers is refreshingly uncomplicated: enjoy what you do. “Whether it’s golf or any other path, if you don’t genuinely enjoy it, you’ll never be able to reach your potential. Don’t take things too seriously—passion and enjoyment will carry you further than pressure ever will.”
Looking to the Captaincy
As he prepares to assume the captaincy of Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club in January, Al Hashemi’s excitement is palpable. The club will host the Dubai Invitational for the second time, supported by Abdullah Al Naboodah, welcoming some of the game’s finest players including defending champion Tommy Fleetwood and reigning DP World Tour champion Rory McIlroy.
“I’m excited to champion the club and its members,” he says. “It’s a privilege to showcase our world-class course and hospitality to the world.” Being Vice Captain—and soon captain—as an Emirati is something he’s incredibly proud of, and his priority is clear: elevate the club, support its members, and contribute to making it the best in the city.
When asked how he’d like to be remembered in the sport, Al Hashemi displays the humility that seems to define him. “There are so many people who have done remarkable things in golf and beyond. I don’t think I’ve done anything yet that warrants being ‘remembered.’ I’m just trying to contribute in my own way and enjoy the journey.”
It’s a modest assessment from someone whose influence—as player, leader, and ambassador for Emirati golf—is already being felt. As he prepares to lead Dubai Creek into its next chapter, Shames Al Hashemi embodies the values his father instilled and the lessons the game has taught: approach life with integrity, build relationships based on character, take calculated risks, and above all, enjoy the journey.
In golf, as in life, that might just be the perfect approach.
