Swedish golfer Anna Nordqvist signs autographs during a coaching clinic for local children on the driving range at the Doha Golf Club yesterday.
One of the world’s best female golfers, Anna Nordqvist held a captivating and inspirational golf clinic for schoolchildren yesterday at Doha Golf Club, as part of the history-making Qatar Ladies Open.
The Ladies European tour event is the first of its kind in Qatar and it is hoped that in the years to come, the tournament will grow its legacy and prompt the next generation to get into the game.
Students from Doha English Speaking School were greeted by the Solheim Cup star Nordqvist on the range, where she took them through the basics of the game and demonstrated the skills that have made her the 14th ranked women’s player in the world.
Nordqvist said: "I think this is a cool opportunity for kids to try out golf. I started golf when I was 13, but I would have loved trying it out in school and having that chance to learn."
The budding young golfers were also given the chance to pick up a club themselves and put Nordqvist’s tips into practice.
The Swede added: “There’s a lot of good talent here even though some of them have never touched a golf club. Who knows, maybe in a couple of years they will start playing golf. It is a great opportunity and I am happy they get to try it.”
And it wasn’t just golf advice the young students took home, as they were each given a signed hat from the golf star to wear proudly on the range and round off a memorable morning.
Nine-year-old Carl Louis said: “It was really fun and a good experience. I will never forget this.
“I think hitting the ball with the driver is really exciting because you get to see how far it goes – I just love golf.”
The children warmed up for their masterclass in the QLO Village, where they played miniature golf, table tennis and football games, and tested their reflexes on the Batak reaction wall.
