Stepping outside your comfort zone abroad can present unexpected opportunities

22/07/2025

PGA Fellow Coach Adrian Cafaro boasts a truly global CV – and one of his keys to success has always been to embrace opportunities

He graduated with a PGA Diploma over 20 years ago and has since undertaken many different roles from being a full-time coach to a General Manager in places such as Egypt, China and now Malaysia where he established the Cafaro Golf Academy.

Along the way, Cafaro wrote a thesis, went on a Mandarin language course and worked at a holiday resort that became embroiled in the Arab Springs uprisings in Libya and Egypt.

He has always made sure to push himself and constantly operate outside his comfort zone, and this has produced what is surely one of the more extraordinary CVs in the PGA Professional sphere. Here, he takes us through his career and explains the importance of taking your knowledge and capabilities to the limit, and to lands far and wide.

Pushing myself with regular visits to Birmingham

My journey began in 2003 when I graduated with the PGA Diploma, an achievement I hold with great pride. Remarkably, the diploma was awarded to me by Nigel Mansell, a former Formula 1 World Champion and an avid low-handicap golfer. This was an exhilarating moment, especially as I have always been a passionate F1 enthusiast.

My first significant role was at Playgolf Northwick Park in Harrow, London - a 9-hole golf course with a double-tier driving range.

While I felt confident coaching amateur players of average ability, I was deeply concerned about my knowledge and skills when it came to coaching elite-level young players. I often felt like a ‘Cowboy Coach’ – a term that reflected my self-doubt at the time—and I recognised the need for further development.

I learned about the possibility of pursuing a part-time Master of Philosophy in Sports Coaching at the University of Birmingham, under the guidance of Dr Martin Toms, a renowned expert in sport pedagogy and participation. I committed to researching how British PGA Tour players acquire their expertise from social, environmental, and psychological perspectives.

I dedicated countless late nights to reviewing sports journals, understanding complex research methods, and analysing findings – all while working full-time as a coach and afterwards as a General Manager.

This was undoubtedly the most challenging period of my life. Regular visits to Birmingham to consult with Dr Toms, who provided invaluable guidance, helped me through the process. When I finally passed and my thesis was accepted into the university library, I experienced an immense sense of achievement. Little did I know at the time what doors this qualification would open. It was, without doubt, one of the happiest days of my life.

Working in Egypt under ‘extraordinary circumstances’

Just before completing my thesis, I was working as a General Manager at Taba Heights Golf Resort in Egypt - an exceptional, world-class facility situated within a man-made holiday resort in South Sinai. Unfortunately, the Arab Spring uprisings in Libya and Egypt, followed by a military coup that ended the Muslim Brotherhood’s rule, created a perilous environment. The Sinai region descended into lawlessness; the Bedouin tribes began extorting the company I worked for, hijacking petrol tankers, stopping staff buses, and stealing belongings - incidents that seldom made headlines. Flights to the area were cancelled indefinitely.

This situation made it impossible for me to continue in my role. I found myself dealing with extraordinary circumstances - such as taxis driving over the golf course as a short cut and overseeing 25 Toyota Hilux trucks parked on the 15th fairway, surrounded by Bedouin tents, as a form of extortion. Ultimately, I made the decision to leave, prioritising my safety over my career.

Having been in the industry for 25 years, my greatest advice is to pursue your dreams with determination, embrace new opportunities, and explore the world

- Adrian Cafaro

Learning the language

In 2013, after completing my Masters degree, I was appointed Director of Instruction at The British PGA Academy at Bayhood No.9 in Beijing, China. Moving there without prior knowledge of Chinese culture or the city itself a significant challenge. The cultural shock and language barrier, as I did not speak Mandarin, made the first year particularly difficult.

Understanding the importance of language skills, I enrolled in a four-month Mandarin course, committing four hours per week. This greatly enhanced my ability to communicate and forge relationships within China. I strongly advise anyone planning to work there to learn basic Chinese, as daily life outside of work can otherwise become very challenging.

Building facilities and teaching school children

Since earning my Masters, I have consistently secured roles based on my qualifications, ultimately achieving Fellow status in 2012. In 2016, I joined Kaiwen Academy International School in the Haidian District of Beijing.

I was entrusted with developing a comprehensive golf facility, which included indoor and outdoor facilities since temperature can vary from -15 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees. I helped build the following features to the school: Trackman technology, a 22-bay driving range, an outdoor 100-yard two-green short game area, an indoor putting and chipping area and two indoor golf simulators.

Motivation behind moving to Malaysia

This role lasted three years but ended due to organisational restructuring when the chairman departed, and the new leadership team implemented substantial cuts, including a 25% reduction in my salary. I found the decision unjustifiable and chose to resign.

I chose Malaysia as my next destination mainly due to poor air quality in Beijing and freezing winters. MST, a huge golf equipment supplier in Malaysia invited me to serve as their Elite Master Golf Coach at their premier venue in Kuala Lumpur, then called TPC Kuala Lumpur (now Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club).

It was hard to turn down this opportunity since it meant an English speaking nation, great weather, cheap condos, great golf course selection, awesome food, low cost of living and too many other positives to mention.

Unfortunately, the working environment there deteriorated due to unmet promises - This prompted me to establish Cafaro Golf Academy Sdn Bhd, which enables me to deliver first-class customer experience with a state-of-the-art facility - including a two-bay Trackman4 setup and VIP practice areas.

Why Southeast Asia could become a hotspot for PGA Professionals

The British PGA diploma and AGMS degree are recognised worldwide.

Aspiring golf professionals should prioritise continuous education and ongoing professional development to stand out in a competitive global market, this is the only way as I see it to capture the best jobs worldwide.

Emerging markets such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, and China offer significant opportunities for PGA Professionals. Southeast Asia, in particular, benefits from favourable year-round weather, modern urban environments, and often but not always lower costs of living - all factors that enhance career prospects and quality of life.

Looking ahead over the next five to 10 years, I envisage more PGA Professionals advancing into management and general manager roles. As new golf courses open across Southeast Asia, demand for highly qualified staff will grow.

My key advice to aspiring professionals is to be proactive: step outside your comfort zone, invest in further education (whether through a management pathway or postgraduate studies), and work to distinguish yourself from your peers. Working in emerging markets like Southeast Asia can offer unparalleled growth opportunities. Many PGA colleagues have married local women, making staying long term easier with less visa problems, and earning sometimes double or triple what they earn in the UK.

Ultimately, the PGA qualification is just the beginning. I recommend dedicating an additional three to five years to further study and professional development. Having been in the industry for 25 years, my greatest advice is to pursue your dreams with determination, embrace new opportunities, and explore the world. There are endless possibilities waiting for you. You never know when the next ‘big thing’ will happen to you. It could be tomorrow. Go chase your dream life!