The former Springbok and Western Province flank talks about his love for golf, his favourite courses and who would be in his ideal fourball.
When did your love for golf start and how long have you been playing?
I started very young when we were staying in Pretoria. My father was in the Air Force and at that time there was a golf course close to their base. I continued playing golf in my varsity days in Stellenbosch and would play the course there quite often.
What do you enjoy most about golf?
To be out in nature is probably the big thing for me. I am a bit of a nature freak and really enjoy spending time outdoors. The game also allows you to challenge yourself and it provides you with an opportunity to be active. I have been fortunate enough to play at some of the big social events like the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland and the Dimension Data Pro-Am at Fancourt – it gives you the chance to meet some incredible people and form friendships off the course.
What is your handicap?
I play off a 10.8.
What are your favourite courses to play in South Africa?
My favourite is definitely Leopard Creek! I also play Pearl Valley quite often, it is a tremendous course just outside Cape Town. Then Pinnacle Point is always a good challenge. The scenery there is breathtaking.
Do you have a dream course you’d still like to play?
Yes, Augusta National. I think it’s every golf lover’s dream to have the opportunity to play there.
You are friends with quite a few of the South African golfers. Who is your favourite to watch?
Well, I always tune in when George Coetzee plays. I am good mates with him and we spend a lot of time together on holiday in Stilbaai each year. I basically follow every South African when they are competing, like Louis Oosthuizen when he came so close recently to winning another Major. I played with Dylan Frittelli once so I also like seeing him in action on the PGA Tour.
What is your favourite club in your bag?
I have a short backswing so I had to get my rescues sorted. My 7-iron is probably my best club in that aspect but I also enjoy the difference my Ping driver is making to my game.
Who would be in your ultimate fourball?
Tiger Woods would have to be there, for sure, and then also Jack Nicklaus. It would be pretty amazing to play with them. Then I’d also include Kelly Slater – he is a big golfer and I managed to play with him at the Dunhill before. He is a fun person to be around.
LOUW BIO
Rob Louw is a former Springbok rugby player, who represented South Africa on 19 occasions between 1980 and 1984. He also played 81 times for Western Province and famously won the Currie Cup five times with them. Louw was born on 26 March 1955 in Wynberg, Cape Town. He was selected for the Western Province teams for Craven Week in 1972-73 and in 1975 was selected for the SA U21 team that included Gysie Pienaar, Divan Serfontein and Schalk Burger Snr. He went on to play for Maties before representing WP for the first time in 1978. Louw made his Springbok Test debut on 24 April 1980 and played hislast Test on 27 October 1984.
– Interview by Andre Huisamen
– This Q&A first appeared in the September 2021 issue of Compleat Golfer magazine. The October 2021 issue is on sale now.
Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
