Every night, she embraces the same dream, waking up each new day fueled by the determination to transform it into reality. In a significant stride towards her ultimate goal of turning professional, Intissar Rich achieved a major triumph last month in Oman. She secured the individual gold medal while leading the UAE Ladies team to victory at the GCC Golf Championships.
The surge of emotions, surrounded by teammates, and the adrenaline of competition coursing through her veins were novel experiences for her. Yet, sports have a unique way of evoking emotions. This time, it was overwhelmingly positive as Intissar proudly hoisted the UAE and its Pan-Arab colors high above her head – a moment of tears and joy, marking her first major success for her adopted country, just over a year since she became a UAE passport holder, leaving her birthplace, Morocco.
“It felt amazing to win the gold for the UAE,” she shared with Khaleej Times. “This is my new home, my new world. I felt so happy and proud. It’s hard to describe it. I know I belong here in the Emirates.”
Intissar, boasting a plus three handicap, is steadfast in her focus on turning professional and aspiring to play on the LPGA Tour. She views it not just as a dream but a serious endeavor, expressing her readiness to put in the hard work required for the journey ahead.
“Obviously I still need to improve a lot, but I’m prepared to put in the hard work,” she affirmed. “The golf courses and facilities in the UAE are amazing and of such a high standard. It inspires improvement. Right now I practice almost every day, mostly at The Els Club, Dubai with the Claude Harmon Performance golf team. This year I aim to play in the LET Tour school and then take it from there.”
Reflecting on her golf journey, Intissar recalls the pivotal moment at the age of 12 when she first picked up a golf club near her native Tangiers. Despite financial constraints, the golf club’s invitation to nearby residents changed her life’s trajectory.
“When I was young, I could never have afforded to play golf,” she reminisced. “But one day, the golf club invited everyone living close by to come and play. My family was not too happy that I wanted to go, but my brother took me, and I instantly liked it. That’s how it all started.”
The turning point arrived in 2022 when Intissar won the All Africa Challenge Trophy. General Abdullah Alhashmi, Emirates Golf Federation Vice-Chairman, noticed her talent, leading to an invitation to visit the UAE and play golf. Before she knew it, she was offered a UAE passport, a transformative moment that allowed her to fully focus on her game.
In the year spent in the UAE, Intissar has not only honed her golf skills but also embraced the Emirati culture, making new friends along the way. Now, she stands at the threshold of chasing her personal dream of ascending to the pinnacle of women’s golf, firmly believing that the moment is ripe.
“I’m ready,” she declared.
