In 2018, at just nine years old, Reuben Thapa found his passion for golf on a small course in Nepal. His father recalls the moment he first noticed his son’s growing interest. “He sat on the driving range for a couple of days, just watching. Then he started hitting balls,” Dhru Thapa, Reuben’s father shared. “At the time the teacher saw potential in him and suggested we speak to the club manager, but in Nepal, we didn’t have much support available for golf”, Dhru noted.

Determined to give Reuben a better opportunity, the family made a life-changing decision. In 2019, they moved to Portugal, settling in Sintra. While Reuben’s dream was to pursue golf, his family focused on building a self-sustainable farm at the same time they supported Reuben’s ambitions as much as they could. Despite the challenges of moving to a new country and the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Reuben remained committed to golf and never stopped improving until today.

Once in Portugal, his father found a small course in Oeiras near their home where Reuben ended up playing for a while. “He played there for a year or two before joining the Country Club of Aroeira, which enabled him to progress even more”. At Aroeira, Reuben was allowed extra practice hours, and that was when he truly started to develop his skills.

Hard work

Accordingly, his hard work has so far paid off. During the last three years, Reuben has consistently ranked among the top young golfers in Portugal, finishing in the top three for Under-12 and Under-14 and securing a top-five spot in the Under-16 category, which gave him direct access to the finals.

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A life-changing encounter

In November 2024, Reuben had the chance to train for three days in the UK, an experience that changed his golf trajectory. With the help of the golfer Colin Harris, a good friend of Reuben’s father, he was able to get in touch with Martyn Thompson, a former European Tour Professional and currently a teaching professional in England, who still competes regularly in Senior tournaments, which was immediately impressed with Reuben’s natural talent. After Reuben visited the UK, it was Martyn’s turn to visit Portugal, which he did by his own means, presenting Reuben with a new golf club.

Martyn confessed that he saw something in Reuben that went beyond raw talent. “He’s one of the most naturally talented 15-year-olds I’ve ever seen. The fact that he’s reached this level with minimal coaching and resources is nothing short of a miracle”, the pro golfer proudly shared. “He has the dedication, the work ethic, and the drive to succeed. You don’t get to this level by luck alone”, Martyn stressed, noting that, “his love for the game and his commitment to improving is what makes him stand out”.

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The dream of studying in America

Reuben’s ultimate goal is to become a professional golfer and play at the highest level. He dreams of securing a scholarship to an American university, where he can take his game to the next level. “People say America is the place to be if you want to make it in golf. That’s my dream - to go big from there”, Reuben shared”. Martyn Thompson, who has helped other young golf players get into US universities throughout the years, shares the same opinion regarding the opportunities that studying in the US can bring to Reuben. “The US university system is fantastic for golfers,” he affirmed, adding that his biggest ambition “is to get Reuben into a top program. If he succeeds there, the world is open to him”.

Despite Portugal’s stunning golf courses and favourable weather, Reuben’s father believes more support from the Portuguese government is needed for young golfers. “Portugal has 78 golf courses, and Reuben has played on 35 of them in the past five years,” he revealed, adding however that, there’s very little support for players like him. “We’re grateful for the opportunities we’ve found, but many parents, including myself, wish there was more help for young talents”, Dhru stated.

Nonetheless, Reuben remains focused and with the motivation to accomplish his objectives. “I just concentrate on the game every time I’m at the golf course. Playing golf is my top priority”, Reuben explained. “Meeting Martyn has already changed my life. He’s so humble and willing to help. Now, it’s up to me to work hard and make the most of this opportunity.”

With raw talent, unwavering dedication, and the right mentorship, Reuben’s future in golf looks promising. This is why it is so crucial for him to find the necessary support to pursue his dream of studying in the US and becoming a professional golfer - who knows one of the best in the history of golf.

Author

After studying Journalism for five years in the UK and Malta, Sara Durães moved back to Portugal to pursue her passion for writing and connecting with people. A ‘wanderluster’, Sara loves the beach, long walks, and sports. 

Sara J. Durães