15 hours ago
Meet Ananyaa Sood - a rising golf talent chasing dreams with family by her side
At just 14 years old, Ananyaa Sood is already making her mark in golf, a sport she fell in love with at a very young age and now considers her future.
Recently, Ananyaa secured a remarkable win at the JAGA International Amateur Open at Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club. Among more than 30 talented young golfers, Ananyaa came out on top in the girls' division - a triumph that earned her an invitation to the UAE Clutch Tour later this year.
Her golf journey has come a long way in a short period.
Ananya plays at The Els Club in Dubai and is coached by Sujjan Singh at the renowned Claude Harmon CH3 academy. She studies online at the United States Performance Academy (USPA), which lets her pursue golf alongside her education, a perfect blend for a young athlete who wants it all.
'It's golf I love… golf means everything to me,' she says with a deep passion that drives her forward and anchors her in the face of pressure and competition.
Her greatest supporters are her parents, who have stood by her from the start - not just cheering from the sidelines but guiding and mentoring her.
'My dad (Ahmed) has always been my biggest supporter. I've learned almost everything I know from him. He's always been there, helping me with the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of golf.
'My mom (Shirelee) is also a very, very big supporter of my game. She's somebody that, I know I can really talk to even if I've had a bad day or a good day,' Ananyaa adds. 'She has always helped me figure out the answers to what's going on mentally. Both my parents have been there this entire time, and I'm really grateful for that.'
This strong family bond has kept Ananyaa grounded, even in a solitary sport as she aims high.
'My short-term goals are to keep getting better at each aspect of my game… to learn more and improve my weaknesses and my strengths,' she says. 'My long-term goal is to get on the LPGA and be world number one.'
Ananyaa is genuinely ambitious, disciplined, and clear about her future - a future filled with golf, growth, and success.
Her story underscores the power of patience, perseverance, and strong family support. Ananyaa is a young athlete who plays golf with maturity, discipline, and pure passion, and it's clear the future is bright for this remarkable 14-year-old talent from UAE.
