Tee-Off > Oasis Magazine's Interview with the Youngest Arab Golfer: Othman Almulla @otto_man_empire

During the seven centuries of golf’s recorded history, the game that originated in the Scottish Highlands faced a barrage of criticism and laws were even passed forbidding people to practice the game. The Scottish population became so obsessed with the game, that they neglected military training and others say that it was banned because it was taking up too much of their time. Official golf clubs and associations began to pop up in the eighteenth century and ever since then golf has been known as the world’s most royal and ancient sport. 

Over the past few years, golf as a leisure and prestigious sport has gained immense popularity in the Arab world and continues to grow rapidly. Saudi Arabia in particular was the first to introduce golf in the gulf region in the 1940s when the oil company Saudi Aramco developed the first desert course where enthusiasts continued to practice their hobby even in a non-grass course. Today, Saudi Arabia owns many first-class golf courses and many clubs that embrace and welcome golfers from all different levels of expertise. 

Othman Almulla, the youngest Saudi and Arab golfer to win several international tournaments, learned to play golf at Aramco’s Rolling Hills Golf Club. Almulla considers himself multi-cultured as he was born in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia but moved to the States when he was 3 years of age. There, the Almulla family with spent the next four years divided between Flagstaff, Arizona, Portland, Oregon, and Richmond, Kentucky. He then moved back to Saudi Arabia when he was seven then returned back to the States at the age of 17 to pursue his high school diploma at Heritage Academy in South Carolina. During his stay there he continued to practice golf by enrolling at the International Junior Golf Academy. He is currently finishing up his marketing degree at the American University of Dubai. 

We caught up with the Arab world’s youngest golfer... 

How long have you been playing golf and when did you discover your passion for it? 

I have been playing golf for almost ten years. I never really discovered I had a penchant for it. I just liked to excel at whatever it is I do in life, so I am always putting in a lot of work, and thankfully I have had some success. 

What has been your greatest achievement so far? 

I have had a few but if I had to pick one I think it would be winning the Pan-Arab Red Sea Open. It was my first win; I had been close before in a few major tournaments regionally, but never really finished it off until that tournament in Egypt. 

What’s your ultimate goal? 

My ultimate goal is, and will always be, to try and represent my country to the best of my ability and as a personal mission I’d like to raise the Saudi flag in places it wasn’t before. And, of course, to become the first Arab golfer to play in the main professional tours of golf. 

What do you do in your training that is fundamental to your success? 

It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of dedicated hours. I think golf is one of the most difficult sports to excel in; you have to spend so much time practicing. Another key element is being patient when things aren’t going the way you want them to. 

What was the best advice you were ever given? 

My parents always taught me to never let anyone belittle my dreams or my belief in myself. 

Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by? 

Never take anything or anyone for granted and if you believe in yourself then no one else’s opinion matters. 

Being the first Saudi and youngest Arab golfer to win several different national and international competitions, what advice would you like to give to aspiring athletes? 

Never sell yourself short. If you believe in yourself and work hard, life will take you places. You should never have regrets and if you choose to pursue something you should give it your all. And, don’t forget to enjoy the journey. 

What do you hope for in the future of sports in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world? 

We have many talented people in the country and I think if the youth got more involved at a younger age, then the sky is the limit. I don’t see why we can’t have Saudi athletes competing at a more international stage and winning major tournaments.

Check out Othman Almulla's website and keep yourself updated with his info: www.othmanalmulla.com


Written by Abir Saud for Oasis Maagzine