Tee Time in Tehran

A scratch player and captain of the national side, the 38-year-old has played in Asian championships.

"When we go abroad to international events I've been asked 'Do you have any courses in Iran?'" he says. "They're surprised when told we've only one standard grass course, which is not a very good one."

There are few youths coming into the game, Karimian says, while giving lessons at Engelhab's driving range which despite being only 225 yards long is a good practice facility for the few who use it.

"Our players are usually over 30. It is rare to see 17- or 18-year-olds, but as a team we are making progress," he says, pointing to national championships and participation abroad. "When the sports ministry notices this progress they will eventually pay attention. We need a vision to expand and make golf a known sport."

But getting people properly involved will be a tall order, says David Cherry, chairman of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation.

"The Iranian populace gets no exposure to the game as it is not on TV," says Cherry, who visited Tehran in January, and suggested schools are the route to follow. "I tried to convince the ministers I saw that golf is not an elite sport and it can be played the whole of your life. I started at age five and am still playing 63 years later."

On a positive note, Iran is making the right noises by establishing good links with the APGC and golf's ruling body, the R&A.

"I sensed a deep-seated enthusiasm for the game but they are uncertain how to get to the next stage. It's difficult to see where children could get access to anywhere a golf ball could be hit," Cherry says.

Federation chief Saeedi has a tough job, but with his office dotted with golf memorabilia, as well as portraits of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the late Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic republic, he will seek another five-year term later this year.

"We have problems but we have to concentrate on finding talent," he says.