Despite shooting 58 over par, enthusiastic novice anxious to keep playing

Guangzhou - While the rest of the world's golfers get to swing their clubs on lush green lawns, Afghans have to do so in the sand.

So when the country finally made its international debut at the golf tournament of the Guangzhou Asian Games, its players were happy just to have an opportunity to compete on a top-quality 1,600-hectare course in China.

Afghanistan's war-torn capital of Kabul only has one golf course, a nine-hole affair close to the home of Fazel's teammate, 20-year-old Hashmatullah Sarwaree.

The course is covered by black sand instead of turf, and has fairways made of a mixture of sand and oil. There are no water traps, no trees and only one tee.

"I found the course I was playing today was far more difficult than the one I played on in Kabul," said Ali Ahmad Fazel, 19, after the first day of competition at the Dragon Lake Golf Course on Wednesday.

"The ball runs faster so I have to be more accurate."

"But I really enjoyed the course," added Fazel, the son of an amateur golfer.

Sarwaree said there were no let-ups throughout the day's play. "It was difficult and each hole was very hard," he said.

Their scores reflected their difficulties.

Fazel ended the day 58 over par to rank at the bottom of the table. Sarwaree was two spots ahead of him at 36 over, with Mongolia's Bayarkhuu Yanjiv in between.

Miguel Luis Tabuena of the Philippines topped the leaderboard after shooting a four-under 68.

Golf was introduced to Afghanistan 40 years ago, but it was not until 2004 that the public was allowed to play. Now there are around 50 golfers in the country, according to coach Mohammad Jama Hekmati.

He expects the sport to blossom there now that it has a foundation, but knows that development and financing will take time.

Afghanistan only set up its golf federation two-and-a-half years ago, and Hekmati represents half of the country's full-time pro golf coaches.

"It's not a game that belongs just to the wealthy," said the 30-year-old, who began playing eight years ago. He returned to home last year after spending time in Iran.

Now he hopes the exposure the team is getting in Guangzhou will help water its roots back in the deserts of Afghanistan.

"The 16th Asian Games is a great chance for us to let more people in my country know about the game and grow to like it," he said.

"We have a team of 12 members in the federation who look forward to sending our golfers overseas to learn professional techniques. Now we are more focused on improving their training and the conditions in which they compete."

Fazel said the hardships he has endured have not dampened his desire to kick-start his career and become a pro.

"I am learning English and preparing for the university entrance examination next year," he said.

"I have five brothers, and two of them are playing golf like me. I can't tell if I'm turning professional in five or 10 years, but I will work to build my way there."

China Daily

(China Daily 11/18/2010)