Samantha Whateley secured a third provincial win when she successfully defended her KZNLGA Nomads Junior Girls Championship title by 12 shots at Umhlali Country Club.
How did you get into golf?
Both my parents play golf, and my dad had bought me a set of plastic golf clubs before I was born. So I guess my love affair with the sport began then and it was confirmed when I won my first SA Kids Golf tournament at Huddle Park when I was nine. From that day I knew I wanted to pursue a career in golf.
Do you set yearly goals?
I do set goals at the beginning of every year. For 2021 I wanted to represent South Africa abroad and I targeted top-five finishes at the big events, like the SA Women’s Amateur and the Nomads SA Girls and SA Rosebowl tournaments. This year my goals are to represent South Africa overseas, score well at the important tournaments and balance matric and working hard at golf.
As a junior, you have excelled on the Open Amateur circuit in the past year. How tough is that transition?
I played at my first open tournament in the C Division when I was 10 and my first A-Division tournament when I was 12. It was quite intimidating, competing against players much older than me who could hit it so much further. As I grew older, I became stronger and more experienced, and the differences weren’t as significant.
What are the strengths of your game and what aspects do you need to attend to?
I would say my strengths are my accuracy off the tee and my lag putts. A weakness I have is that I struggle to read greens.
You have been on the Golf RSA National Squad for some time. What does that add to your game?
Being on the Golf RSA National Squad has helped my growth in the game. The National Squad camps are a great place to learn from highly successful coaches, as well as from my peers. The camps help me improve the mental side of my game and my short game, and the TrackMan helps me learn and understand the mechanics of my swing better.
Which tournaments would you most like to win?
The SA Women’s Amateur Stroke Play and Match Play events are two of my dream tournaments as they are at my favourite golf course [Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club]. Winning those would put my name on a prestigious list of many successful South African golfers. I would also love to win the Nomads SA Girls and SA Rosebowl events, as I have participated in those tournaments since I was around 11. It would be amazing to win one, or both, after witnessing some of my role models win them.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
My grandpa always used to tell me that having fun is the most important part of golf. If you are not enjoying what you do, there is no point.
What’s your favourite club in your bag?
My 4-iron. It’s the most satisfying feeling when I hit it out the middle.
If golf wasn’t an option for you, what profession would you pursue?
I would be a forensic psychologist, because I find analysing criminal behaviour very interesting.
What advice would you give youngsters starting in the game?
Work hard, but make it enjoyable at the same time. Having fun is one of the most important things to help you get into the game.
Which are your favourite golf courses?
They are the East Course at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington and the Woodmead Course at Country Club Johannesburg. I would love to play Augusta National and St Andrews – without the wind!
Which players would be in your own Fantasy Fourball?
Nelly Korda, Justin Thomas and Viktor Hovland.
Interview by Brendan Barratt
– This article first appeared in the March 2022 issue of Compleat Golfer magazine. Subscribe here!
