By: Momodou Bah
Alasan Jallow has made history in Gambian sports after becoming the youngest professional golfer in the country and finishing second in his first major professional appearance at the Gambia Open.
The annual tournament, held at the Sir Dawda Jawara Golf Course, brought together golfers from The Gambia, Senegal and Sierra Leone for two days of competition across various categories, including caddies, amateurs and professionals.
Jallow’s journey into golf began at the course where his mother operated a breakfast stall serving caddies. Initially passionate about football, he discovered golf after playing his first practice round.
“At the beginning, I was only into football, but after the practice, my love for golf continued to develop,” Jallow said. “I began to take it more seriously as it drew sponsors on board.”
Despite limited equipment, infrastructure and the absence of professional coaches in the country, Jallow said he relied heavily on online resources to learn the fundamentals of the sport.
A trip to India later proved pivotal in his development. There he received structured training from swing and fitness coaches, giving him the opportunity to refine his technique.
“After I came back from the trip, I realised how important it is to have a coach,” he said, noting that the lack of coaching remains one of the major challenges facing golfers in The Gambia.
To qualify as a professional golfer, Jallow completed two consecutive 18-hole rounds, scoring below 15 over par – a requirement he met during the rainy season when course conditions were particularly difficult.
He officially turned professional in October last year and the Gambia Open marked his first major tournament as a professional. Jallow finished second with a score of six under par and a total of 135 points.
“I was very excited to play my first major professional golf tournament in my home country with the home crowds supporting behind me,” he said. “Cheering for the first time was tough, but I was able to control my emotions and focus on my game plan.”
Jallow currently balances his golf career with office work at ComAfrique, practising during his free time while maintaining his professional responsibilities.
“Golf requires a lot of time as a professional golfer and I’m trying to do justice to both,” he said.
Vice President of the Gambia Golf Association, Anthony Tabbal, said the association was proud of Jallow’s achievement, especially given that he turned professional only two months before the tournament.
“The Gambia Golf Association not only trains golfers but also seeks partnerships to support them in developing their careers further,” Tabbal said.
The association has supported Jallow by covering membership fees, providing golf clubs and facilitating coaching opportunities, while also working to expand access to facilities and nurture young talent through its golf academy.
Ram Mohan, a former chairman of the Sir Dawda Jawara Golf Club and one of Jallow’s sponsors, praised the young golfer’s performance.
“I was extremely happy with his score because I saw him playing under pressure with a five-time champion and he still came out with the second-best score. That’s exceptional,” Mohan said.
Jallow said he hopes his journey will inspire more young Gambians to take up the sport and challenge the perception that golf is only for the wealthy.
“Many people believe golf is a rich man’s game. Partly it is, but I am not from a rich family and I am passionate about the game,” he said. “The only way to inspire the young generation of Gambian golfers is to perform and show them it’s possible.”
Looking ahead, Jallow plans to compete in at least five international tournaments this year while continuing to advocate for the establishment of a golf academy in the country.
Officials of the Gambia Golf Association say the sport is becoming more accessible and open to anyone with the time and talent to pursue it.
“Golf is no longer a rich man’s game but is open to everybody,” Tabbal said.
