Issa Nlareb, one of the prominent names in golf, has had several ups and downs from the time he lost his mother at the age of just 11. Following the tragic incident, he struggled to even survive and had a choice between living on the street or getting up, following something, and doing good in life.
From picking balls to earning money for survival to actually picking up the game and becoming a caddie to being infected with meningitis and losing both of his legs and most of his fingers, his journey is nothing short of inspiring.
[REPORT] Early Life and Struggles
Following Issa Nlareb’s mother’s death when he was just 11 years old, he used to live with his dad and stepmom near the Yaoundé Golf Club in Cameroon’s capital. A year later, he decided not to live with his dad, and his stepmom ran away from home and lived on the street.
At just 11 years old, he was so pissed with his situation but had no other option than living on the street and hiding on the golf course. His love for golf increased when he saw the golf course where he used to collect the golf balls and return them to the players.
Issa then eventually started following and watching the players at Yaoundé Golf Club since he had no school and no work. His main motive was to see how players hit the shots so he could improve his own.
He eventually became friends with golfers as he helped them find the balls on the hilly course as well as aim shots, especially after being challenged by Mr Davou. Despite not receiving any formal training, Nlareb passed his caddie exams and turned professional in 2009.
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Life-Changing Illness and Disability
After turning professional in 2009, Issa Nlareb had a dream of being the best player in the world, along with beating Tiger Woods in the competition. In 2015, when he was 24 years old, he received his first golf lessons so he could compete at the highest level possible.
Following professional training, he played on African tours for more than five years and won the tournaments in Gabon and Senegal. However, he suffered a major upset during the peak of his career and personal life.
In February 2018, Issa suffered a sudden illness at the Ein Bay Open in Egypt, which changed everything he had built for so many years.
He woke from a five-day coma just to learn he had contracted bacterial meningitis and needed to have both legs above the knee and both arms above the elbow amputated. Initially, he refused the surgery but later underwent the operation in Belgium.
From sleeping on the streets after losing his mom to multiple amputations in 2018, Issa Nlareb has found meaning in life through golf. pic.twitter.com/1FitX6ZvQj
— USGA (@USGA) July 8, 2024
[WHAT’S HAPPENING] Resilience and Rise in Disabled Golf
After the surgery, he had no hope of playing golf again and returned to Cameroon so he could focus on his family. However, constant support from his friends encouraged him to play golf again.
He decided to coach the players since he was not able to play like a professional, but his 5-year-old daughter inspired him to return to the competitive tournament.
In 2019, he rejoined the African Golf Tour and made a powerful comeback on the Alps Tour in France. The disabled golf events often have no prize money, despite finishing top in the US Adaptive Open, he earned no cash prize.
The participation costs are up to $10,000 per event, and without sponsors, it would be very difficult for Issa to continue his passion. Issa Nlareb, who is still struggling to find sponsorships to complete his dream of becoming the best player in the world is now ranked 8th in the world among disabled golfers.
Bigyan Samele’s View on Issa Nlareb’s Journey in Golf
As a golf enthusiast, watching the career and personal journey from living on the street to surviving day-to-day life to gaining global recognition for his gameplay, Issa Nlareb’s journey is looked up to by millions of people worldwide as an inspiration.
Even the amputations did not let down his mindset from playing golf, as he was passionately involved in the sport from the time he used to collect balls. I feel like his passion and love for golf allowed him to achieve success in life despite several hurdles he faced from the time of mother’s death.
I hope to see him play in as many tournaments as possible and be the best player in the world.
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