Ian Eveleigh is the Managing Director of The Pro Shop and Rhode Island Sportswear Dubai.
Ian is fueled by a genuine passion for golf’s future in the region. He shares candid thoughts on how technology, customer service and community engagement are his top priorities. Join us as we tee off with Ian Eveleigh to uncover the strategies, challenges, and dreams of empowering golf’s next chapter in the Middle East.
Ian, with over 25 years of experience in golf, how has your journey shaped your vision for The Pro Shop Dubai and Rhode Island Sportswear in Dubai?
Wow 25 years, that’s almost a scary realization. Well, I first picked up a club when i was 14, and i remember my Dad and Uncle taking me to Randpark Golf Club not long after. The first course i played was the Winsor course and i was instantly hooked on the sport! Getting to spend over 4 hours out on the course with my Dad was a amazing, i was taught patience, skill, and perseverance, these are life skills that matter so much later on in life.
My experience has shaped the vision for building the perfect wholesale and golf business, in addition its taught me business foundations are forged by relationships and communities, which can last a lifetime.
We have the right products, the right team and have instilled the same high standards of ethos we created from our many years operating successfully in South Africa.
Our approach is “its not about me, it’s not about us, it’s about the customer and the relationships we build to nurture a community of golfers to experience the best of golf retail and wholesale services.”
The Pro Shop Dubai is over 16,000 square feet of golf store paradise. What can customers expect to see when they walk through the door?
When you first step into Pro Shop Dubai, you’re greeted by an expansive showroom stocked with everything from entry-level golf gear, expansive apparel range that spans performance-driven polos and technical outerwear from top sports brands, right through to premium lifestyle labels—so whether you’re on the course or the clubhouse terrace, you’ll look and feel your best. Our team of specialists is on hand to guide you through every brand and price point.
Head to the back and you’ll discover three semi-open Golfzon simulator bays plus a private VIP suite, all powered by MyGolf Dubai. Our PGA-qualified pros offer swing analysis, private coaching or just pay-and-play sessions. Right next door, our custom-fitting experts and full workshop handle everything from loft-and-lie checks and regrips to bespoke club builds.
And when you need a break—just take the stairs up to the Loft. It’s a bright café with artisan coffee and workspace tables perfect for taking meetings, alongside our corporate showroom where we design tailored sportswear, workwear and accessories for businesses large and small.”
Rhode Island has a huge array of customisable sports and workwear products, what do you stock and how do you keep the quality and price so affordable?
We’re proud to represent a powerhouse portfolio of global brands—Cutter & Buck, Abacus, IBKUL, Black Clover, CMC Accessories, Rudy Project and Sundog Eyewear—leveraging relationships that stretch back more than 30 years to our South African origins. Those deep partnerships let us negotiate preferential pricing and pass real value on to our customers here in the region.
“But our real competitive edge comes from owning a fully licensed manufacturing facility in Mauritius. There, we produce under license for Cutter & Buck, Callaway, AHEAD and Rhode Island—and even support brands like Adidas and Puma in Southern Africa—giving us end-to-end control over quality, lead times and cost.
“That means whether you’re an individual seeking top-tier performance wear or a corporate client requiring bespoke golf or workwear solutions, we deliver the same relentless commitment to craftsmanship, customization and price competitiveness—every time.”
Do you cater for corporate and smaller quantity customisation orders?
“Yes—whether you need just a handful of polos or hundreds of branded kits, we’ve built our business on a simple mantra: ‘ones become tens, tens become hundreds.’ That means we’re set up to grow with you. Owning our licensed factory in Mauritius gives us full control over minimum order quantities, so small corporate runs are as easy and cost-effective as large ones. Plus, with a deep stock of ready-to-brand performance and lifestyle pieces, we can often ship your order immediately—no factory lead time required.
And it doesn’t stop at apparel. Our accessories division opens up another world of bespoke opportunities—from custom headcovers and towels to lifestyle items—so you can outfit your team or clients with truly unique, on-brand products. We handle every step, from design and production to delivery, with the same commitment to quality, customization, and competitive pricing.”
In our world, quality cannot be compromised, so we advise to be careful when people choose to take a chance on cheap easter options online, that only turn out to be disappointing.
“Our brand quality is unbelievable, keeping you cool during the summer with lightweight materials”
What is your favorite brand you stock personally?
“I actually avoid naming a single ‘favorite’—each brand in our portfolio plays a distinct role in solving our customers’ needs. Cutter & Buck delivers timeless performance and impeccable tailoring, IBKUL leads with innovative sun-protection fabrics, Black Clover brings that aspirational lifestyle edge, and our limited-edition lines add exclusivity. By staying completely brand-agnostic, we ensure our recommendations are driven solely by what’s best for each client—be it budget, technical performance, or that one-off statement piece—so they can make an informed choice tailored to their exact needs.”
Summer is here, it’s becoming too hot to play outdoors in the UAE. Can you tell us about the Golf Simulator partnership with MyGolf Dubai and why your facility stands out from the rest?
Our partnership with MyGolf Dubai elevates the experience far beyond a typical simulator bay. We chose Golfzon because it’s engineered from the ground up to mirror real-world golf: the patented moveable swing plate recreates every undulation you’d find at St Andrews or Augusta, while zero-latency ball tracking means your shot flies on-screen the instant you strike it. Switch seamlessly between synthetic fairway, rough and bunker mats to feel the turf under your feet, then dive into the data—on-board cameras replay your last swing, and detailed metrics like launch angle, spin rate and face-contact visuals help you sharpen your game.
All of this takes place in a premium, air-conditioned setting nestled outside high-traffic zones, so you get uninterrupted focus, easy access and true comfort even on the hottest days. It’s not just golf indoors—it’s the next best thing to being on course.
Have you met or played with any legends of the game?/ What is your handicap and favourite course in the world and why?/ who is your favourite player?
I’ve met Mr. Gary Player in my early years at Dainfern, he’d often give me a putting lesson on the carpet in the shoe section. Played a few holes with Ernie Els at The Els Club Copperleaf in SA. But the most impressive display was playing with Mark McNulty at San Lameer. At 64 years old some years back, he tee’d it up with us on the same men’s tee, was only a few yards behind me off the tee. Dunked 2 in the water on a par 3 and still shot 67 on a golf course that has a lot of water to think about.
I play off Scratch, more like scratch my head at the moment to be honest haha.
My favourite course is one I haven’t played as yet, and hopefully the stars align someday that I can. I’ve been in awe of this facility for probably 2 decades now, my intrigue of the beauty is immense. Cypress Point Club in California.
Look I’m a South African, so I naturally would have favouritism to our boys, and we sure do produce major winning golfers for a small nation which I’m super proud to be a part of. But likely not surprising is that I got into golf just before Tiger blasted onto the scene, I used to try replicate his swing a lot. I still see the similarities in Adam Scott’s swing today. It’s tough to not vote for one of our boys, but Tiger is the GOAT for a reason.
For enquiries visit The Pro Shop or each out to : Phone: 04 835 7901
