Putting it right
His joy knew no bound when he equalled a world record by hitting nine birdies in a row—a birdie is one stroke less than the designated number to complete a hole in golf—during the Dubai Creek Open held in September. The record was first set by American Mark Calcavecchia at the 2009 RBC Canadian Open. “When I hit the first two birdies, I felt this was going to be my day,” says the UAE-based Rayhan Thomas, whose family hails from Kotatayam in Kerala. “I’m very happy with my performance.”
The 17-year-old is ranked No. 35 in the world amateur golf ranking. But his dream career began accidentally. One day, Rayhan’s father gave the eight-year-old a club and the boy played his first strokes at a store called Golf House in Dubai. “I was immediately attracted,” says Rayhan, who won the Amateur Order of Merit at the Middle East Golf Awards in Dubai in July.
Seeing their son’s interest, parents John and Neena enrolled him at the Butch Harmon School of Golf in Dubai (Butch is a former coach of Tiger Woods). And Rayhan began to get better and better.
But when he was 15, the family made a fateful decision. Rayhan was taken out of the St. Mary’s Catholic High School and joined an online school academy. And John has a simple explanation for this. “If you want to become a professional player, you have to give the game your 100 per cent,” he says.
On any given weekday, Rayhan gets up at 5.30 am, and goes for an hour-long walk. Then he takes his breakfast and heads to the Butch Harmon School at 8.30 am. He does training under the supervision of Justin Parsons, the director of instruction. “Justin is one of the best coaches in the region,” says Rayhan. He returns home at 1.30 pm. Following lunch, and a brief rest, Rayhan starts his online studies at 3 pm and finishes at 7. Thereafter, he watches TV to relax. In spare time, he learns meditation. “The mental aspect plays a big role in golf,” says Rayhan. “There are a lot of match-play events in amateur golf, where we are playing one on one. You need mental strength to overcome your opponent.”
The chief operating officer of an oil, gas, and marine company based in the UAE, John admits that the expenses are steep, even though the equipment and clothes are being sponsored. “Since Rayhan is India’s No 1 amateur, the Indian Golf Union has agreed to provide some sponsorship.” So, with his obvious talent and calm temperament, Rayhan is all set to become India’s version of Tiger Woods.
Achievements
Rayhan Thomas has been selected to be the part of India’s golf team for the Asian Games 2018 to be held in Indonesia.
He is No. 35 in the world amateur golf ranking.
2017
*He played till semi-finals in the US Junior Amateur championship.
*Highest ranked player in the Jr President’s Cup– International Team.
2016
Won...
* The Qatar Amateur in January.
* The Scottish Boys in July.
* Became the first amateur and youngest player to win the overall prize in the Creek MENA tour event in September.