Back in the early 1990s, golf in the Middle East was little more than a curiosity. There were barely any golf courses, hardly any golfers, and few would’ve imagined the desert would one day become a global golfing hub. But while the game was still finding its footing in the region, Prosports International was already laying the groundwork.
Founded in 1995, Prosports International was among the first dedicated golf distributor and retailer in the region and played a major role in fuelling the first wave of the golfing bug that was to catch on in the UAE and beyond.
As the company celebrates its 30th anniversary, the man who founded Prosports International, His Highness Sheikh Saeed Mohamed Hasher Al Maktoum, shares the story of how a casual round on a par-3 course at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club inspired a business that was to shape the sport’s rise in the UAE.
“People often ask how I first got into golf. The truth is that it all started by chance. We used to visit Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club just for dinner. One evening, someone suggested we try the par-3 course. I liked it right away. I started playing with Ara Nakhnikian – my partner in Prosports International – and we were hooked. We weren’t any good at first; I remember shooting over 100. But we enjoyed it. That’s all it took.
I studied in America, but I never played golf there. It was a passion we discovered right here in Dubai. And that passion slowly turned into a business – Prosports International. At the time, golf was still in its infancy in the region, so looking back, it was a bold move. But we were just doing something we loved, and in a sense, we were lucky that things moved in the right way as far as golf’s development here, as it could’ve easily have gone in another direction.
But Dubai has always been about looking forward. Even back in the days of Sheikh Rashid, long before all the towers and skylines, this city had a vision. Dubai didn’t have much oil – Abu Dhabi had that – but what we had was trade. I still remember a time when Dubai was a hub for gold trading. You’d buy gold here, load it on a dhow, and ship it to India. No paperwork, no contracts – just trust and a handshake. That same spirit shaped the way we built Prosports. We treat our customers and partners with respect and integrity. It’s the old way, but it still works.
When we started, Emirates Golf Club was literally in the middle of the desert. I could never have imagined what Dubai would become. Golf has played a huge role in that transformation. It’s clean, international, and inclusive. You see kids at Topgolf getting into the sport – it’s growing every day. My own daughter visits TopGolf regularly.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how we’ve supported Emirati golfers from the very beginning. I remember playing with Ismail Sharif back in the day and supplying him with equipment – he was always a level above and went on to become the first professional Emirati golfer. We never did it for publicity. If we supported someone, it was always personal. You help because you care, not because you want credit. And now, you see players like Ahmad Skaik making history, making the cut on the HotelPlanner Tour. That’s never happened before for a UAE National. It’s fantastic.
The golf ecosystem in the UAE has really matured and we now service many of the pros relocating to Dubai. They use our golf equipment, and we support them virtually daily. It’s not just about business – it’s about growing the sport in a sustainable, meaningful way.
There was a turning point somewhere in 2011 or 2012 when the DP World Tour Championship almost left the city due to lack of adequate sponsorship amidst the economic crisis that was ongoing back then. Nakheel were hesitant to renew their sponsorship, and the tournament was in jeopardy. That’s when we stepped in.
We used all our goodwill and brought Nakheel and The European Tour (as it was then known) to the table and secured the future of the tournament. Since then, it’s only grown stronger. The European Tour Group set up their base in Middle East under my sponsorship and Prosports supported them with everything in their initial days, including all the infrastructure required to operate. They now have a thriving regional headquarters at Jumeirah Golf Estates and administer multiple events across the GCC states (UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia) and beyond from right here in Dubai. It’s wonderful to see and I’m proud that we were able to support that growth.
Our retail operation has evolved as well. We now manage several large Golf Superstore shops across the region as well as the majority of the club pro shops, not just selling but providing real service as their partners. That’s what it’s about – serving both the clubs and the customers. We’re present across the GCC and continue to grow.
My philosophy has always been simple: do things the right way. No shortcuts, no grey areas. It comes from how things used to be done in Dubai – no contracts, just relationships and trust. Even now, I think the UAE is unique. Every nationality lives here together peacefully. Everything works. Bureaucracy is minimal. Renewing a visa takes a day. Getting a driver’s license is quick. That efficiency flows into every industry – including golf.
Looking ahead, Prosports will continue to grow steadily. We’ve built a strong track record, and we plan to maintain it. The golf landscape will keep evolving, and we’ll stay on top of new trends and technologies.
As for the next generation of entrepreneurs, my advice is simple: be honest, be consistent, and respect the people you work with. Dubai rewards hard work and vision.
And yes, on a lighter note, there’s a long-standing rumour that I once suggested putting crocodiles in the lake on the 18th hole at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Let’s just say we did once place a crocodile skin – about 15 feet long – by one of the water hazards, just for fun. It gave a few people a good scare!
Looking back, I’m proud of how far we’ve come – from par-3 laughs to helping shape Dubai’s golfing future.”