The former Proteas cricketer talks about how he started playing golf, some of the best courses he’s played, golfers who have made him go ‘Jeez’ and tournaments on his bucket list.
How did you get started in golf?
My dad [former Northerns cricketer Willie] took me to a mashie course in the middle of Centurion when I was around eight or nine. Being a sportsman there were always bats, balls, rackets and clubs lying around the house. I really enjoyed the mashie experience as a youngster but with so much else happening at school I never played golf and it was only when I got older that I got more into it.
To what do you attribute your handicap?
There wouldn’t be any one single reason, but I must stress that it’s important for everyone to go for a custom-fitting if you want your game to improve. Since I’ve seen the experts and been fitted I feel I’ve noticed a difference. I’m tall for a golfer [1.96m] and I’ve had all my shafts lengthened by an inch and I order straight from Titleist. The lengthened shaft has given me a little more distance. My ball striking is also better because I don’t really have to chop down on the ball and I don’t have to lean over it when I address it as I used to.
How often do you play?
The short answer, which most people will also say, is ‘not often enough’! I do try to play twice a week but life is going to get busy with the arrival of our second child. I play with my best mate Matthew Tanner quite often, but basically I’m always up for a game with anyone who wants to get out on to the course. I play with the Titans cricketers quite a lot and when Brandon Stone is back at home in South Africa we spend quite a lot of time together on the course. It’s a great way to switch off from the stresses of everyday life.
Where have you taken your game to since the bug bit?
I’m a 4.8 handicap index, but my game is a bit of a rollercoaster ride at the moment. I’m consistently shooting scores in the 78 to 81 bracket, my handicap is slowly coming down and my ball striking is getting a bit better.
Your home club and the best hole on the course?
Centurion Country Club and the 9th hole, an island par four, is my favourite. I’ve just come back from Namibia where I played Omeya, which is very nice. It’s in the middle of the bush and I’m a fan of the bush. The course is very well designed and is in good condition. We played a scrambled drive format so every drive was ‘bombed’ for the benefit of the fourball, so I’m looking forward to going back there and playing it as an individual.
Other golf courses that stand out for you?
Liffey Valley is a great par-three course in Dublin, Ireland, and that was cool. I’ve also played The Belfry which was an awesome experience and I’ve played a few nice ones in New Zealand and Australia. But, for me as a South African, you can never go wrong with Leopard Creek; that’s the ultimate course.
What big golf tournaments have you been to?
I haven’t had the opportunity to attend any tournaments overseas. I’ve been to the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City a few times and I’ve walked the SA Open with Brandon Stone. I’d love to go to The Masters and The Open Championship, but probably No 1 would have to be the Ryder Cup experience. My wife would want to come with me, so that’s on top of the pile!
The best – and worst – players you’ve shared the tee box with?
Brandon Stone and George Coetzee are a joy to play with. Brandon still blows my mind with what he does with a golf club in his hands and how much talent he has. He and George can do things that take your breath away and make you go ‘Jeez’! I’ve played behind Louis Oosthuizen a few times and watching him, I’ve thought, ‘That’s why he’s one of the world’s best.’ The worst golfer is an easy one. By far it’s Junior Dala, he’s a stinker. The number of times he has had to pay for not getting to the ladies’ tee is unreal, but at the end of the day the cricketers are all hackers!
Interview by Gary Lemke
– This Q&A first appeared in the March 2022 issue of Compleat Golfer magazine. Subscribe here!
