Zaahidali Nathu is celebrating a first – he is believed to be the first member of the Khoja community to become a professional golfer.
The 21-year-old Canadian turned pro in August after completing his collegiate golf career at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
Zaahidali, from the city of Richmond, has a successful amateur career behind him and a hugely promising future in the sport.
Sponsorship opportunity
As he is just starting his professional golfing career, he is looking for sponsorship from individuals or businesses.
“It would be great if we could reach out to business people within our Khoja community worldwide to be a part of his journey inshAllah to the world stage,” says Mohamed Dewji, from the Jamaat in Vancouver.
Zaahidali’s first sport was actually ice hockey at the age of four, but he began playing golf when he was eight.
Canadian National Championship winner
His first exposure to competitive golf was through the Khoja community, at the Haider Cup Golf Tournament. This was in 2011 in Orlando, when he was 13, and it was the catalyst that made him realize he wanted to play golf at a higher level.
In 2015 Zaahidali finished second at the BC Junior Championship after shooting 11 under par over four days. He was invited to join the team at UBC after this accomplishment.
Over his four years at university he was able to take his game to the next level, developing from a freshman into UBC’s team captain in his third year. In his senior season, he won twice individually and captained the team to seven team wins, including the Canadian National Championship.
Academic high-flyer
Education has always been a priority for Zaahidali and his family. In high school, he had a 94% average and he graduated UBC with honors and Academic All-Canadian status with a degree in Accounting from the Sauder School of Business.
While pursuing this prestigious degree, he kept his golf at a high level on a team that is continually ranked in the Top 10 in the Canadian National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
Cashing his first cheque
Zaahidali’s first professional event was the Vancouver Open. After shooting 3 under par for the three days, he finished tied in 17th place and cashed his first cheque.
Over the winter he is moving to Arizona to play on the Outlaw and DreamChasers Golf Tours in preparation for PGA Tour LatinoAmerica and PGA Tour Canada Qualifying School.
Recent Golf Accomplishments
- 17th Vancouver Open – First Professional Event (2019)
- PGA Works Collegiate Champion (2019)
- NAIA CCC All-Conference Team (2019)
- NAIA Desert Showdown Champion (2018)
- 3rd NAIA National Preview (2018)
- US Amateur Alternate (2018)
- NAIA A.I.I. All-Conference Team (2018)
- NAIA PING All-Region West Team (2018)
- 2nd Vancouver City Amateur (2017)
- Squamish Valley Amateur Champion (2017)
- Shot course record 63 at Richmond Country Club (2017)
- 2nd BC Junior Championship (2015)