Dubai: Meet 16-year-old golfer chasing her dream of turning pro

Khaleej Times

a day ago

At just 16, Anca Mateiu is chasing a dream few dare to imagine. Born in Romania and now rising through the ranks in UAE, her journey is driven by raw talent, relentless passion, and a fearless ambition to reach the very top of the golfing world.
It all began when she was just three or four when her father placed a golf club, two sizes too big, into her tiny hands and encouraged her to give it a try.
'They were regular clubs, too big to handle, but I did my best to hit the ball. I felt a spark, and everything just took off from there,' she recalls.
That first swing would mark the beginning of something special.
'At first, I played for my dad, because he was the one who got me into it,' she says. 'He was always there, patiently guiding me and making the game feel fun and exciting. I just wanted to make him proud. That meant everything to me.'
That early start laid the foundation for everything Anca has achieved since. Today, she is the 2025 Ladies Club Champion at Emirates Golf Club and proudly represents the UAE National Team in prestigious events such as the Pan-Arab and GCC Golf Championships.
'Representing the UAE at those championships is something I'll never forget,' she says. 'Standing on the first tee in national colours gives you this rush. It makes all the training and hard work that we put in worth it.'
Her journey also comes full circle with a victory close to home when she won the 2021 Romanian National Junior Girls Championship. It's a nod to her roots, and a powerful reminder of just how far she's come, both geographically and as an athlete.
But it's her time in Dubai that has truly accelerated Anca's growth- both as a golfer and as a young woman with big dreams. Surrounded by world-class facilities, a vibrant golfing community, and elite competition, Anca has found the perfect environment to sharpen her skills and push her limits. The city's fast-paced energy mirrors her ambition, and it's here that her passion has evolved into purpose.
'It's been life-changing,' she says. 'Back in Romania, I didn't have access to the same level of facilities or playing opportunities and I was limited to a few months a year because of the weather. But here in Dubai, I can train year-round, compete regularly, and work with top coaches. It's completely changed how I see the game and what I believe I can achieve.'
Anca trains across three premier courses — Emirates Golf Club (EGC), Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE), and Dubai Hills — all while balancing a rigorous academic schedule at Kings' School Dubai.
'I won't lie, it's hard,' she admits. 'There are days I finish school, head straight to the course, practice until sunset, and then go home and catch up on homework. But it's worth it. You make time for what you love.'
Though the demands are high, she remains grounded, a quality that mirrors her approach to the game itself.
'I try not to think too much on the course. I just take it one shot at a time and stay in the moment,' she explains. 'If I get ahead of myself, things don't happen the way I want them to. So I always focus on my routine and aim for the best possible outcome.'
Mental composure is a key strength. In high-pressure situations, Anca has learned to trust her instincts and reset quickly.
'Even when things go wrong, a bad shot or a missed putt, I try not to get too emotional," she says. "Golf is like life: you can't control everything. But you can control how you respond. That's something I've really learned over time.'
She credits her coaches, including Marion Duvernay, and the Emirates Golf Federation for helping her level up her game. Their support, along with that of her family, has given her the confidence to dream big.
'The EGF has backed me in ways I can't even explain,' she says. 'And General Abdullah Alhashmi has been incredible. I wouldn't be where I am without that kind of belief.'
Looking ahead, Anca has her sights firmly set on the LET Access Tour - Europe's gateway to professional women's golf.
'I'd love to turn pro. It's been my dream for as long as I can remember,' she says. 'With the support from my coaches, the EGF, and my parents, I feel like I can really do this. I'm working towards being good enough, and hopefully, with a few invitations to play on the Access Tour, I'll get my chance.'
College is still on the table, but Anca is clear-eyed about her priorities.
'If I'm not in college by 18, then I think that's the right time to really go for it,' she says. 'I know what I want. I want to play golf for the rest of my life.'
And while her journey began in Romania, her present and likely her future lie in Dubai.
'More UAE right now,' she says when asked where her heart lies. 'It's hard to choose, but Dubai has given me so much. It feels like home.'
To young girls across the Middle East looking to follow in her footsteps, Anca's message is practical but empowering.
'There's so much on offer in Dubai - amazing courses, top facilities. But you have to be serious. Put in the hours. Even if you improve one per cent every day, that adds up. Stay focused, and don't lose sight of why you started.'
Just as important, she says, is the team around you.
'You need people who understand what you want from the game,' she says. 'Your family, your coaches - they're everything. When you lose or things don't go well, they're the ones who lift you back up. Without them, it's hard to keep going.'
Anca Mateiu is not just one of the UAE's finest young golfers, she's a symbol of what passion and purpose can achieve. With her eyes set on a professional career and a heart full of dreams, every shot she takes now feels like a step toward the future she's always imagined — living her dream on the Pro Tour.