Dubai continues to grow as an international golf destination. What do you think makes the city particularly appealing to visiting golfers, and where do you see the biggest opportunities for further growth?

Dubai has become a very attractive destination for visiting golfers because it offers much more than great golf courses. High-quality golf, excellent hospitality, reliable weather for much of the year, and world-class hotels, restaurants and entertainment make it easy to build an entire holiday around the game.

There is also a great variety of golf experiences across the city, from championship and resort courses to excellent practice facilities and a strong calendar of tournaments and events. The level of service is another important part of the Dubai experience that international golfers really appreciate.

I think the biggest opportunity for further growth is continuing to position Dubai as a complete golf destination. We can attract more golfers travelling with family or friends who don’t necessarily play, while developing experiences around golf, such as coaching, junior golf, wellness, and golf-related hospitality.

There is also a huge opportunity to continue growing the sport among younger players and women. A more diverse golfing community will strengthen the destination will be in the long term.

Since joining Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, you’ve progressed through several roles to become Golf Services Manager. What have been some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in Dubai’s golf offering during that time?

When I joined Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club in 2022 as a Golf Services Executive, it was a very different environment from my golf experiences in India and California.

Since then, I have progressed through Assistant Golf Services Manager to Golf Services Manager, which has allowed me to see the industry from many different perspectives.

One of the biggest changes I have noticed is how much more sophisticated and experience-driven golf in Dubai has become. Members and visiting golfers are looking at the complete experience, from arrival and service to tournaments, hospitality, food and beverage, and the overall atmosphere of the club.

Events and international exposure have also become increasingly important. Being involved in tournaments, corporate golf, sponsorships and international events such as the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, DP World Tour Championship and Dubai Invitational has helped me understand how interconnected the different parts of the industry are.

For me personally, the biggest change has been my understanding of club management. I started my career as a professional golfer, so I naturally looked at golf through the lens of the golfer. Working in club management has taught me to consider the member, the guest, the team, and the business as a whole. That has been one of the most valuable parts of my progression.

As a woman who has built a career across professional golf, education and club management, what would you like to see more of when it comes to women working and progressing within the golf industry?

I would love to see more women aware of the opportunities and career pathways already available across the golf industry. There are many talented women working in golf, and women progressing into senior leadership positions across our own portfolio can help others see what is possible.

Having been a professional golfer myself, I know that women sometimes enter the industry through playing or coaching, but there are so many other career opportunities within golf. My own career has taken me from playing professionally, to studying golf management, and now working in golf operations. It is important for people to see that golf can offer a long-term career beyond being a player.

Seeing someone with a similar background in a leadership position can make a career in golf feel much more achievable. As more women progress into leadership positions, they bring perspectives that can only strengthen the game.

You began your career as a professional golfer and also studied and worked in California before moving to Dubai in 2022. How have those experiences shaped the way you approach your role today?

Starting my career as a professional golfer gave me a strong understanding of the game from the player’s perspective. Competing teaches you discipline, resilience and preparation, as well as how to handle pressure and adapt when things don’t go to plan. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my career.

Moving to California was another important step. My Master’s in Golf Management gave me exposure to the business and operational side of the industry, including club management, tournaments, hospitality and leadership. At the same time, I was working in golf instruction/golf operations, becoming an Assistant Golf Professional at Mission Hills Country Club. Being involved with the LPGA ANA Inspiration gave me valuable insight into delivering international golf events.

When I moved to Dubai in 2022, I brought those experiences with me while learning a new golf market and club environment. Progressing through different roles at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club has allowed me to combine what I learned as a player, through my education and in golf operations.

Today, I approach my role with a broader perspective. I understand what golfers expect because I have been one, and I understand the operational and business side of delivering that experience. That combination shapes how I manage people, events, members and guests, and has shown how many different career paths the golf industry can offer.