Meet the three generations of Tanzanian golf fanatics who bond on Dubai's courses

When Habib Yusufali first saw people playing golf at Tanzania’s Arusha Gymkhana Club back in 1973, his reaction wasn’t exactly flattering. “What a crazy game, why would anyone ever want to play it?”

Fast-forward more than five decades, and the now-retired senior regularly tees it up on Dubai’s world-class courses not only with his son but also his grandson.

Habib, 84, his son Muzaffar, 64, and his son Shaneabbas, 34, are self-proclaimed ‘golf fanatics.’

The sport has been part of the Yusufali DNA ever since a friend convinced Habib to give it a shot when he was working as a manager at the Arusha Gymkhana Club in the 1970s.

“Being able to play golf with my son and grandson gives me a kind of happiness I can’t put into words,” he said. “We bond with each other, we have conversations about life – it’s very special.”

Habib was born in Tanzania’s capital Dodoma but has lived most of his life in Arusha, the city famous for being a gateway to safari destinations and Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro.

Two months shy of celebrating his 85th birthday, Habib, who now spends his time between Dubai and Arusha, says playing golf keeps him fresh physically, and more importantly, mentally.

“The moment I’m on the course and hit that first tee shot, I forget everything even if I’m stressed or feeling down," he said. "I just concentrate on my game.”

Habib’s son Muzaffar first started playing golf in 1982, the same year he got married, something he thinks is no coincidence.

“Golf is my second wife,” he said with a laugh. “I’m crazy for the game, I can play it 365 days of the year if you give me the chance to.”

The 64-year-old father of four is now semi-retired and runs businesses back home in Arusha, including a popular hotel.

“Being