Rayhan Thomas, a talented golfer who was born in Dubai, has recently turned professional and is back in Dubai to sort out his visa administration. He began his golf journey at The Els Club in Dubai, where he participated in the Junior Programmes as a young member of Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. At the age of ten or eleven, his grandmother gifted him a series of golf lessons at The Harmon Academy within The Els Club, where he was coached by Justin Parsons, a mentor he still considers important to this day. Thomas’ recent success at the International Series – Morocco on the Asian Tour has garnered praise from family and friends, and he was even invited to be a guest on Claude Harmon’s podcast.
Currently, Thomas’s main focus is on obtaining his US Visa while addressing other visa-related matters that may affect his ability to travel globally for tournaments. He is hopeful about securing a Dubai Golden Visa in the upcoming weeks. After completing a five-year golf scholarship at Oklahoma State University and turning professional, Thomas is now on his own, managing his travel, accommodation, and administration tasks. Upon his return to Dubai, he spends his time hitting balls in the morning and playing golf at the Faldo Course at Emirates Golf Club under lights in the evening.
Looking ahead, Thomas hopes to receive an invitation to the Asian Tour International Series in England in August and plans to participate in the 2024 Korn Ferry Qualifying School in the US in September. Reflecting on his experience in Morocco, Thomas enjoyed playing at one of the best golf courses in the MENA region. As he continues to navigate his professional golf career, Thomas is considering other opportunities, such as the DP World Tour Qualifying School.
With only six weeks since turning professional, Thomas’s plans for the future are still evolving. He remains connected with his golf industry contacts to determine his playing schedule and status in the golf world. His goal for the rest of the year is to establish a schedule and status for his golf endeavors, taking his time and not rushing into anything. Thomas credits his parents for supporting him and the CH3 Performance Academy at The Els Club and his coaches at Oklahoma State University for keeping him in shape.
Thomas has recently signed with JMC Sport as his manager, marking a new chapter in his professional golf journey. The recent Korn Ferry Tour event was a significant milestone for Thomas, where he felt proud to make the cut and perform well. As he looks forward to reconnecting with his UAE golfing contacts, Thomas acknowledges the hard work that lies ahead as he continues to pursue his passion for golf and achieve success in his career.
