It all began in 1998
This picture means everything to me. On my first day of kindergarten, when I was two years old, I wore a pullover with a golfer. While this seems not extraordinary, golf is not a popular sport in Iran. You must know that Iran has only around 200 golf players and a 14-hole golf course (I know what you think).
Therefore, the odds of me wearing this pullover is close to zero. However, it took me 12 years to start the sport, more to this below.
2001
Adversity has been the driver for me
Through ups and downs, we fled Iran and found a safe place in Germany. But growing up and watching my parents, I realized very early on that everything has a price. My parents' hard work and determination to succeed shaped my thinking. For the unconditional love and support they gave me, I am forever grateful.
2008
First contact with golf
When I was 10 years old, my brother and I started playing an MMORPG golf game called Shot Online. I don't want to brag, but we were really good at it. After two years of spending hours leveling up and improving my skills on the online golf course, I finally tried golf in real life. After a few weeks, I knew I wanted to keep playing this game. I immediately stopped playing soccer and kept practicing. Within 6 months, I reached handicap 10.
2011
When I won my first tournament, the club championship at Kaiserhöhe Golf Club, I got the sweet taste of winning. I've always loved competing, and this win made me want more and more. Finally, with my family's help, I could participate in national and international amateur tournaments. With several top-5 and top-10 finishes, I was finally recognized by the Iranian Golf Federation.
2012
Title
My first important experience was at the World Amateur Team Championships in Turkey. To this day, this is a magical memory for me. I was able to contribute to the Iranian team finishing in the top 50 of the world rankings for the first time, and I made new friends and watched the best amateurs compete. A very inspiring experience that made me work harder and harder!
Furthermore, I joined Golfclub Mannheim-Viernheim in 2014 and won the German Championships. Being surrounded by better players made be better.
2015
Play hard, train harder.
In fall 2015, I was recruited to play collegiate golf at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Texas, coached by Armen Kirakossian (current UCLA Head Coach)
2016
Making a change
Playing in the U.S. was a complete change. Being away from home, leaving all my friends and family behind and speaking a different language was not easy at first. But I was able to distract myself by falling in love with the process. I knew that this opportunity was limited, so I used every second to get better - physically and mentally.
2017
Through hard work and dedication, I was able to win one tournament, followed by five top-5 finishes and several top-10 finishes.
I also finished 5th in the Western Athletic Conference scoring average and was named Golfer of the Week twice.
Finishing off my college golf career by making the cut, as the first middle eastern at the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship
I am taking the next steps in my career - turning pro. I have been fortunate to have a support system that held my back through good & bad.
I am very excited to start my professional golf career as the first Iranian ever to play this sport.
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