Mason Geddes and Daniel Richards, two key figures at Saadiyat Seaside Golf Membership in Abu Dhabi, share a standard ardour for golf and the willpower to construct profitable careers removed from house.
Though their paths are completely different, they each discovered a brand new house within the United Arab Emirates, the place alternatives have enabled them to thrive.
Mason: A Leap of Religion and a Lifetime of Golf
For Mason, the journey into golf started in his teenage years. Rising up, he performed a number of sports activities together with soccer and rugby, however accidents ultimately steered him in the direction of golf. “I obtained battered and bruised enjoying rugby and soccer,” Mason recollects, “however with golf, I couldn’t actually get too injured.” By the age of 15, he was absolutely dedicated, pushed by aggressive household matches together with his father and grandfather.
After finishing college, Mason began his journey within the golf trade at The Grove in Watford. Inside six months, nonetheless, a chance arose to maneuver to Abu Dhabi. “I used to be 21 on the time, residing at house, and thought, ‘Why not?’” he says. “It was a leap of religion, however I’ve by no means regarded again.”
Now, as Assistant Golf Companies Supervisor at Saadiyat Seaside Golf Membership, Mason leads a workforce of 14 employees. His major focus is guaranteeing top-notch service for members and company. Clear communication, he emphasises, is essential. “With so many nationalities right here, clear communication is important to verify everybody understands their roles and obligations,” he explains.
A standout second for Mason was shortly after his arrival in 2022 when the membership hosted a pro-am occasion that includes Pep Guardiola and Tommy Fleetwood. “Pep introduced numerous Man Metropolis gamers over,” he recollects. “It was an ideal, busy few days, however everybody actually loved it.”
For younger professionals contemplating a profession in golf, Mason’s recommendation is easy: “Take the leap. You may at all times return if it doesn’t work out, however you by no means know what’s across the nook until you strive.”
Dan’s Skilled Journey in Golf
Dan’s journey started at Event Golf School within the UK, the place he mixed research in golf psychology, vitamin, and administration with enjoying on Portugal’s professional excursions. Nevertheless, in his first yr, he got here to a realisation. “I wasn’t ok to make it as a enjoying skilled,” he admits. As an alternative, he shifted his focus to golf operations, a pure match given his long-time ardour for the game.
Dan moved to Abu Dhabi in 2020, beginning as a workforce chief at Saadiyat Seaside Golf Membership. “I used to be choosing up golf balls, washing golf carts – all the traditional day-to-day issues,” he recollects. Over time, he progressed by means of event and membership roles, ultimately turning into Golf Operations Supervisor. His obligations now lengthen to each Saadiyat and Yas Acres, a nine-hole floodlit course common with night gamers.
“I moved over to Yas Acres round 12-13 months in the past,” Dan says. He’s notably happy with his position in implementing methods that boosted income, together with a profitable month-to-month go programme. “It’s helped us considerably develop income in 2024 and set us up properly for 2025,” he notes.
Like Mason, Dan confronted challenges adapting to life removed from household. “Transferring midway internationally with out realizing anybody was robust,” he shares. Nevertheless, he shortly constructed a robust community throughout the golf neighborhood. “Now, I take pleasure in residing in Abu Dhabi and may’t see myself going again to the UK anytime quickly,” he says.
Dan highlights that alternatives for profession development are extra accessible within the UAE than within the UK. “Right here, onerous work and expertise are recognised,” he explains. “Within the UK, senior roles are sometimes stuffed long-term, making it tougher to progress.”
For aspiring golf professionals, Dan suggests adopting a ‘short-term loss, long-term acquire’ mindset. “Lots of people focus an excessive amount of on wage,” he says. “However taking a profession step overseas will be massively useful. You’ll get immense satisfaction from delivering nice service, constructing relationships, and facilitating workforce development.”
Shared Views
Each Mason and Dan have discovered a house away from house in Abu Dhabi. Whereas adapting to a brand new tradition had its challenges, they’ve each grown personally and professionally by means of their experiences. They see their futures firmly rooted within the area and stay dedicated to delivering world-class service whereas fostering development inside their groups.
“Golf has finished superb issues for me over the past couple of years,” Mason says. Dan echoes related sentiments, expressing pleasure in his work at each Saadiyat and Yas Acres. For each of them, golf is greater than a occupation – it’s a platform for connection, development, and the pursuit of excellence.
