A Foreign Female Golfer's Perspective on Bangladesh's Golf Scene

Agnes Sammalie, a Ugandan-Dutch golfer, discovered her passion for the sport 12 years ago in Kenya. Due to her husband's career, she has played golf in various countries and has spent the past three years in Bangladesh. In an interview with Golf and Beyond magazine, she shared her experiences in the Bangladeshi golfing landscape.

Intro:

How did your golfing journey begin?

Agnes Sammalie: I started playing golf in 2011 in Kenya during our time there.

2. What changes have you seen in Bangladesh's golf scene?

Agnes Sammalie: Over the past three years, I’ve noticed a slight increase in young golfers. Parents are bringing their children to practice after school or on weekends. There was also a golf clinic organized by the Army Golf Club, which was a nice and positive development.

Q3. What challenges have you faced as a female golfer in Bangladesh and internationally?

Agnes Sammalie:As a female golfer in Bangladesh, it's not so easy, as first of all, one cannot wear clothes designed for female golfers internationally. Besides, some male golfers may not be comfortable playing with a lady golfer. Additionally, the prize distribution in tournaments isn’t equitable; for instance, in my last tournament, two female golfers achieved the same excellent score of 41 points, but only one received a prize due to limited awards for women. There were only prizes for the winner and runner-up. Male golfers, despite lower scores, often receive prizes (in my example the numbers 1 to 6!), and I’ve noticed that female trophies tend to be smaller than those awarded to men. It truly feels like a man’s world in golf.

Q4. Can you share some of your success stories in your golf career?

Agnes Sammalie: I've played in many countries and met influential people through golf. It’s a friendly community where a housewife can share a round with CEOs, ministers, or even prime ministers. On the course, we all have the same goal: to beat the course.

Q5. Is Bangladesh receiving sufficient sponsorship support for golf?

Agnes Sammalie: Unfortunately, I don't believe Bangladesh is getting the sponsorship it needs. At my club in Kurmitola, we have the same sponsors, and new support has been sparse.

Q6. How can the government better support golf to make it accessible for middle-income individuals?

Agnes Sammalie: The government should stop associating golf exclusively with the military. There’s a wealth of talent among the middle- and lower-income population, but access to golf clubs is limited, and the fees for non-military personnel are prohibitively high.

Q7. What potential do you see for sports tourism in Bangladesh, particularly through golf?

Agnes Sammalie: Honestly, I don’t see much potential for sports tourism through golf at the moment. Bangladesh would need more well-maintained 18-hole golf courses, like those at Kurmitola and Chittagong Golf Club, along with nearby resorts and hotels.

Q8. What are your goals for golf in 2025?

Agnes Sammalie: My goals for 2025 are to improve my game and achieve a single-digit handicap and I am already very close. I also hope to get both my children into golf so we can enjoy the sport together. My husband, an avid golfer, is my biggest supporter.

Q9. , and what message would you like to convey to our valued readers?

Agnes Sammalie: My message to readers is simple: get out and play golf! You don’t have to start off being good; it improves with practice. Even if you struggle, it’s still a fantastic game. Remember, your only competitor is yourself—you play each day to surpass yesterday!

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