Bishop's Next Move

We meet another of the ridiculously talented, MENA Tour-bound teens rolling off the production line at the Butch Harmon School of Golf, Dubai.

- Kent Gray

TOBY BISHOP’S DREAMS are aligned to those of other teens with serious game – a steady progression up the amateur step-ladder to the touring life, via collegiate golf in the U.S. if all goes to plan. What’s diff erent about the Dubai-domiciled Welsh teen is how he’s going about getting to the game’s ultimate finishing school, perhaps even Rickie Fowler’s alma mater, Oklahoma State University.

“Toby’s one of the smartest and most analytical young players I have come across,” says Bishop’s coach Jamie McConnell. “He’s constantly on a mission to figure out how he can improve, even one per cent at a time. His biggest strength is without a doubt his attitude towards the game.”

McConnell should know. Bishop was the Irish instructor’s very first lesson when he turned up for his first day of work at the Butch Harmon School of Golf, Dubai almost five years ago. Bishop was 10 then, got down to scratch three years later and now plays off a +2.1 handicap by becoming one of the most diligent workers on an Els Club Dubai range teeming with teen talent.