THE LONG GAME BUILDING CONNECTIONS ACROSS BORDERS

Golf has followed Brent T. Christensen, the U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, across different stages of his life; sometimes closely, sometimes after breaks lasting years. Initially considering golf as both a sport and a useful professional skill, he later found something more enduring in the game: competition, friendship, mental challenge and the simple pleasure of being outdoors. In an exclusive interview with TheGolfHouse, Christensen discusses growing up with Tiger Woods’ rise, memorable courses from the Philippines to Nebraska, his unique experiences in different golf courses within the beautiful landscapes of Bangladesh, and how golf can strengthen people-to-people ties between the two nations in the future.

Interview conducted by TheGolfHouse’s Director of Strategy, KBM Nasiruzzaman, and Editor, AMM Nazrul Hosen.

What first drew you to golf, and what keeps you coming back?
I first took golf lessons when I was in school. I thought it would be a great way to learn a sport and, at the same time, a useful skill for business.

But I’ve played on and off for years, probably more off than on. I might play for a year and then take five years off, or play for two years and take 10 years off.
I started playing again about two years ago. I enjoy being outdoors, and golf is social but also mentally challenging. It’s one of those sports where, even when you play badly, you still want to come back the next weekend.

Which courses around the world have left a lasting impression on you?
One is Manila Golf in the Philippines. I lived right next door to it when I served there. It was a members’ club, so I could only play when invited by a friend. But I could watch golfers from my apartment almost every day. It’s a beautiful course right in the heart of Manila.

I also took up golf again while living in Nebraska, which has some beautiful courses in the Sandhills. I didn’t get to play all the ones I wanted to, so when I retire, I’m definitely planning to go back.

My handicap is still too high for some of the world’s great courses, so I need to keep getting better.

“Golf and diplomacy have one thing in common: you’re never going to master either of them”.

Is there a golfer you particularly admire?
I’m the same age as Tiger Woods. When I was first learning golf as a student, Tiger was coming onto the scene. He changed golf forever and brought tremendous excitement to the sport.

I actually saw him play in one of his early tournaments at the John Deere Classic near my hometown in Iowa, and I’ve followed him ever since. He’s truly one of the greats.

Today, it’s hard to argue with Scottie Scheffler. He’s a very humble, down-to-earth person, which is something I admire. I also enjoy watching Bryson DeChambeau on YouTube, particularly his Breaking 50 series.

Beyond competition and scorecards, what does golf mean to you?
Golf is one of those games that very few people will ever master, but it keeps you coming back.

It’s physical – you have to get the swing right – but it’s equally mental. You need strategy. And then there’s the social side: you can play with friends and spend a morning together.

Very few sports combine competition, socialising, exercise and mental strategy in quite the same way. It’s a complete package.

Has golf influenced your approach to diplomacy?
I’ve been a diplomat more consistently than I’ve been a golfer!

But one thing golf and diplomacy have in common is that you’re never going to master either of them. The game is always changing, and diplomacy is always changing.

You have to adapt, remain flexible and accept that you’re going to have some bad days. But you keep coming back.

“President Trump is very focused on showing the very best of the United States, and I’m excited about golf being part of the Olympics”.

 

Which courses have you played in Bangladesh, and do you have a favourite?
In my almost eight months as ambassador, I’ve had the opportunity to play in four courses in Bangladesh.

Playing golf in Bangladesh has certainly challenged me. A lot of the fairways are long. I’ve never had to learn to hit my 3-wood so much in my life. My wife even had to buy a 3-wood because the fairways are so long.

And during the rainy season, I lose a lot of balls in the water. So I’m looking forward to playing more in the winter and hopefully losing fewer golf balls.

I’ve played in Jolshiri the most, so I’d probably call it my home course here. I really like the setting. Next to the river, it almost feels as though you’re outside the city. It’s also challenging because many of the holes are quite long.

I’ve probably played Kurmitola the second most. It’s the only 18-hole course in Dhaka—and I lose a lot of balls on the back nine.

I’ve played in Army Golf Course once and had a lot of fun there. The grass is different and presents a different challenge.

But the most beautiful course I’ve played in Bangladesh is Bhatiary in Chattogram. Walking up the hills and teeing off from elevation towards the greens made it a memorable experience.

I still have quite a bit of time as ambassador, so I’m hoping to play in more courses and see what else Bangladesh has to offer.

What is your impression of Bangladesh’s golfing culture?
Bangladesh has what I would describe as a small but vibrant golf community.

Golf has become a great conversation starter for me here. Whenever I meet another golfer—whether at an airport lounge or on the course—it immediately gives us something in common.

I’ve received many invitations to play, and I hope to take up more of them in the future.

“Golf gives people a  common language”

How can golf strengthen people-to-people ties between USA and Bangladesh?
I think there are already good connections between the United States and Bangladesh through golf. A number of golfers here travel to the U.S. to play, and the United States has some fantastic golf brands. I’d like to see more of them in Bangladesh.

But golf also provides a common language. People can share their love of the game and build relationships from that common interest. That’s one of the things sport does very naturally.

What could make the biggest difference to the development of golf in Bangladesh?
Golf in Bangladesh has been developing for several years, and I’ve had conversations with some of the leadership of Bangladesh Golf Federation.

I know they’re working to develop the courses and hopefully position Bangladesh to be part of the Asian Tour in the future. I think that would go a long way.

Personally, I’d also love to see a tee-time system. I’m fairly constrained for time, so being able to schedule exactly when I’m going to tee off would make a significant difference.

What are you looking forward to as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Olympic Games?
I think the Games in Los Angeles will be truly spectacular. Nobody hosts an event quite like the United States.

President Trump is very focused on showing the very best of the United States, and I’m excited about golf being part of the Olympics.

I’m hoping we’ll bring home the gold. We have some fantastic players, and it will be another opportunity for them to shine on the world stage.

How could the U.S. Embassy support greater engagement through sport?
The United States has programmes in sports diplomacy. Right now in Bangladesh, those programmes are focused on cricket, which is growing in popularity in the United States and is, of course, hugely popular here.

For golf, I think the immediate opportunity is through people-to-people connections between Bangladeshi and American golfers, as well as commercial ties involving golf brands. Our Commercial Service is happy to help facilitate those connections.
Hopefully, we’ll also see Bangladeshi golfers qualify for the Olympics and bring Bangladesh golf further onto the world stage.

Finally, what message would you like to share with golfers in Bangladesh and TheGolfHouse readers?
Brent T. Christensen: Keep playing and keep striving. Don’t let one bad game ruin things for you. You have to come back mentally and make every shot count.
Finally, happy 11th anniversary to TheGolfHouse. Congratulations on your success so far and on the work you’ve done to promote golf in Bangladesh.

CHRISTENSEN QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS:

Favourite golfer of all time?
Tiger Woods. I watched him play early in his career and have followed him ever since. He changed golf forever.

Current golfer you most admire?
Scottie Scheffler. He is an outstanding player but remains humble and down-to-earth.

Favourite golf course in Bangladesh?
Jolshiri is my home course here, but Bhatiary is the most beautiful course I have played in Bangladesh.

Most memorable overseas course?
Manila Golf in the Philippines. It is a beautiful course located right in the heart of the city.

A golfing destination on your bucket list?
The Sandhills of Nebraska. I hope to return after retirement and play more of its remarkable courses.

What keeps you coming back to golf?
The combination of competition, friendship, exercise and mental challenge—even after a bad round.

Golf and diplomacy in one line?
You never completely master either; you must remain flexible, adapt and keep coming back.

Biggest golfing challenge in Bangladesh?
The long fairways—and losing golf balls in the water during the rainy season!