A 12-year-old Qatar-based golfer sets high goals as he wants to tee off with the very best

Twelve-year-old Daniil Sokolov, a Russian national who was born in Seoul, South Korea, was just five years old when he moved to Qatar with his parents from Tokyo, Japan.

Eldest of two siblings, he is fluent in English, French, and Russian. The fact that he speaks Arabic reasonably well makes him stand out among other student-athletes. His younger brother, Fedor Sokolov, 10, plays football in the elite Paris Saint-German Football Club (PSG) group.

From an early age, Daniil Sokolov, a grade VI student at International School of London, Doha campus, used to accompany his father, Dmitry Sokolov, a professional in energy systems who was charmed by the sport of golf during his four-year stay in South Korea.

Dmitry Sokolov, proud father of two talented young boys, told Qatar Tribune that upon arriving in Qatar, “perhaps the right time for five-year-old Daniil, supported by safe and sport environment with quality facilities, helped in exposing and developing the hidden skills of Daniil for the sport of golf”.

Daniil, said his father, has been a well-mannered boy right from his childhood, patient, with the right attitude and carrying a well matured personality for his age group, which are the prerequisites for being a golfer.

Meanwhile, paying gratitude to his father and mentor, Daniil said it was his father who from beginning guided and provided him the environment in building his confidence and grooming his hidden talent. “Right from a very young age, I got the opportunity to play on various golf courses and in different countries including Qatar, the UAE, African countries, Europe and the US, which helped me in shaping up my talent and personality,” said the 12-year-old.

Talking about his practice habits, he thanked his coach who guides him daily to refine swing and techniques. He practices five days a week, a minimum of four hours per session. He goes through minimum two competitive rounds per week.

The talented boy has been displaying his exceptional skills and garnering success from age seven in the junior golf circuit. His ability to drive the golf ball over 300 yards at such a young age is amazing and incredible.

He was recognised as the strongest non-USA 11-year-old player according to Under Armour Junior World Golf Rating; he was also chosen to All World Team of best junior golfers of his age.

He achieved an impressive 9th place in the Boys Under-12 division in summer 2022, at the IMG Academy World Junior Golf Championship in San Diego, California; he’s the winner of his age division at First Tee Miami Doral Junior Classic; and the youngest participant to finish 7th out of 120 participants in the Qatar Open Men’s Amateur Championship 2023 held at Doha Golf Club.

He will be participating at the Underrated Golf Tour 2023 presented by Stephen Curry, to take place this summer, to valuable experience against highly competitive opponents aged 12-18.

Talking about his future goals, Daniil said he wants to win a Qatar Amateur Open Championship within the next three years, and hopes to be counted among Top-10 WAGR players within next three years; and to win a professional golf by the age of 15.

Golf lovers who want to have a glimpse into his golfing skills and achievements, may visit Instagram at @daniil_sokolov_golf.