Ahmad Raoul, a passionate golfer hailing from Chicago, recently had an incredible opportunity to play alongside one of the PGA tour’s brightest stars. CBS 2’s Matt Zahn caught up with Raoul at Jackson Park Golf Course, where he was honing his skills and dreaming of making it big in the world of golf.
Ever since he first swung a golf club, Raoul has been enamored with the game. He recalls thinking, “Oh my god, I need to do this for the rest of my life.” A graduate of the First Tee of Greater Chicago program and an alumnus of Mt. Carmel, Raoul is now a rising sophomore at Winston-Salem State University. Through his involvement with the First Tee program, he received an extraordinary opportunity to participate in a Pro-Am event leading up to the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, playing alongside none other than Rory McIlroy.
Raoul, along with two other First Tee graduates and current HBCU students, had the privilege of teeing off with the golfing superstar in this special event. Raoul expressed his gratitude, stating, “I wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity without Wells Fargo and First Tee. It was truly a blessing to play with Rory and Alex. I learned a lot and gained valuable information that will help me succeed in the future.”
Playing with McIlroy was a dream come true for Raoul. He performed admirably and felt comfortable in that high-pressure environment. Reflecting on the experience, Raoul remarked, “I can get used to this. I’m trying to play professional golf one day.”
Raoul is leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of his golfing ambitions. While the opportunity to play alongside McIlroy was fantastic, his ultimate goal is to compete against him on the PGA Tour. Raoul is willing to put in the hard work and dedication necessary to achieve his dreams. He shared that McIlroy complimented his game and, at the end of the ninth hole, during a picture-taking moment, expressed his desire to see Raoul out there competing professionally. This interaction was monumental for Raoul, solidifying his belief that he can achieve his goals if he puts in the effort.
Raoul outlined his approach to realizing his aspirations, stating, “Hard work, dedication, and believing in myself. It has been my goal since I started playing at the age of six. I know I can get there, and one day I’ll be there.” To gain a competitive edge, Raoul plans to participate in numerous amateur tournaments over the summer.
During the Pro-Am event with McIlroy, Raoul was fortunate to have his Winston-Salem State teammate, a fellow alum from Homewood-Flossmoor, as his caddie. This added a personal touch to an already remarkable experience.
As Raoul continues to work diligently on his game and participate in tournaments, he remains steadfast in his pursuit of a professional golfing career. With the incredible opportunity to play alongside McIlroy fueling his determination, Raoul is ready to take on the challenge of making his mark on the PGA Tour and turning his dreams into reality.
