Sam Clayton, General Manager of Rumanza Golf & Country Club, in Multan, Pakistan, returns energised for a new five-year contract in 2025. Sam and his wife Sovuthika had previously spent three years at Rumanza Golf & Country Club in 2021-2024.
Sam migrated to Melbourne, Australia, from England when he was 1 year old. He says he is a True Blue Aussie in every aspect of sport and loves test cricket, especially the Ashes and beating India. He is still an overseas member of Hawthorn for the past 25+ years.
Despite warnings from friends and family about safety, they “did not think twice” about returning as they fell in love with Pakistan’s culture.
(Sam and Sovuthika Clayton)
Embracing Pakistani Hospitality
Sam said that the Pakistani community welcomed them into their circle “like one of their own,” reflecting the genuine warmth of local people.
Sam says that during their first three years in Multan he and his wife “did NOT feel threatened at any time” – in fact, they felt safer in everyday life in Pakistan than in many tourist hotspots. They often encountered friendly smiles at immigration and patient, helpful law enforcement officers, contrasting sharply with the experiences Sam is used to elsewhere.
He notes that they never faced hassles like pushy souvenir sellers, drunken crowds, or taxi rip-offs – problems common in many tourist destinations – but instead found courteous officials and respectful neighbours at every These day-to-day experiences – from polite border guards to respectful shopkeepers – deeply impressed them and helped break down any negative stereotypes they may have held.
Engaging in Local Life at Rumanza
Sam and Sovuthika’s everyday life quickly centered on the Rumanza community. Sovuthika enthusiastically embraced golf; after only a few months in Multan she joined Rumanza Golf & Country Club inaugural ladies’ medal tournament, playing alongside local Pakistani women golfers. Sam proudly pointed out that the club flew both the Pakistani and Cambodian flags at the event, symbolizing their bridge between cultures.
Beyond golfing events, Sam poured energy into youth outreach: he organized summer and winter junior golf camps each year with over 100 local children attending. These programs were not only professional activities but personal bonds – working with the kids, sharing equipment, and teaching golf created countless informal connections and fond memories for the couple.
Through daily routines (walking on the course, chatting with caddies, sharing meals at the clubhouse), Sam and Sovuthika describe feeling like part of the “Rumanza family,” deepening their sense of home in Multan.
Promoting Pakistan Beyond Multan
Even away from Multan, Sam and Sovuthika became unofficial ambassadors for Pakistan. As Sam recounts, during a 15-month period when they were traveling outside the country, they actively promoted Pakistani tourism wherever they went. They would enthusiastically share stories of Punjab’s hospitality, the beauty of the mountains in the north, and Pakistani cuisine, often encouraging friends to plan their own trips to explore the country. One favourite topic was Pakistani food – Sam and Sovuthika sampled local dishes (from spicy biryanis to sweet desserts) and touted them as “unique and delicious”. In this way, every journey they took turned into a chance to challenge misconceptions: they found that first-hand experiences of Pakistan’s people and traditions could be profoundly moving, and they urged others to see this for themselves.
Looking Ahead
Over time, Sam and Sovuthika’s affection for Pakistan has only grown. Sam frequently speaks of the country’s “amazing resilient & humble culture” and the pride Pakistanis take in their customs. Looking forward, Sam’s goals go beyond managing Rumanza Golf & Country Club day-to-day golf operations: he hopes to raise Pakistan’s profile on the international stage by hosting a professional (Asian Tour) event and by creating educational programs for local turf managers.
For Sovuthika, the simple joys of life in Pakistan – a game of golf with new friends, a warm plate of local curry, a sunset over the fairway – have become treasured memories. In their own words, what started as a professional assignment has turned into a deeply personal connection. Sam and Sovuthika now invite readers to see Pakistan through their eyes: a place of hospitality, beauty, and community.
Pakistan golf industry snapshot
The total Golf Courses in Pakistan is 54, the oldest course dates to 1885 (Rawalpindi Golf Club– Islamabad) built to accommodate the British Armed Forces officers and bureaucrats.
Golf in Pakistan is like Indonesia 40 years ago, prior the S.E. Asia Golf Course boom of the 1990’s where golf was for the rich as there was no real middle class to speak of, with approximately 30,000 golfers. (less than 1% of the population).
In 2010/11 Lahore Raya GC opened and more recently in the past 5 years there has been a start to Golf Tourism with 5-6 Golf course being constructed throughout Pakistan.
Rumanza is the Premier Club in Pakistan, designed by SNF and is equal to any Club in the world for design, quality of the turf (Paspalum Platinum), Club House & Hotel facilities.
The average Pakistani pricing structure for Memberships with the average Joining fee (Life time) for the top clubs in Pakistan is approximately AUD$1,400 and with a Monthly subscription fee of AUD$55/Month
The Green fees for Members' Guests are AUD$16 for weekend golf play, while foreigners are AUD$70.
