One of cricket’s greatest fast bowlers, Allan Donald, opens up about his love for golf and the experience of scoring a hole-in-one on a par four, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
How much golf do you play?
Well, for the moment I’m staying at Boschenmeer, so I’m able to get quite a few rounds in every week. Living on the estate means I get to take advantage of any opening in my calendar and head out on to the course with my son and some mates. I admit to taking my clubs with me on my travels, so I can take the gap when it presents itself.
You’ve played golf around the world. Which courses stand out for you?
Some of the standout overseas courses are Woburn Golf Club, which is Ian Poulter’s home course, Lake Karrinyup in Australia and Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand. We are also fortunate to have many world-class courses on our doorstep in South Africa and Pearl Valley must be one of the very best. Gary Player Country Club is another course that is at the top of my list.
And the most difficult?
Definitely Delhi Golf Club, which hosted the Indian Open in March. I think I lost 14 balls on the day I played because the course is extremely unforgiving and I had to put the driver away after about the 3rd hole. I made peace shortly after that, because for me, as a nine-handicapper, the course was unplayable.
What are your strengths on the course?
I think I’m most comfortable chipping and putting. My tee shots need some work – I’ve been asked why I hit driver when I hit my 3-wood so lekker. But in saying that, I don’t take the game too seriously, because my main aim is to be outside having fun with family and friends.
The current Proteas seem to play a lot of golf. How much did you guys play?
If a round of golf was suggested in the team room, plenty of hands went up. We had Jonty Rhodes, Hansie Cronje, Richard Snell, Brian McMillan and Dave Richardson who could all play. I’m not sure how they would face up to AB de Villiers, Dave Miller and co, though.
Did you ever have any grudge matches?
Well, Jonty and Hansie used to play together and were pretty hard to beat. I’m not sure if it was because the batsmen were more composed than us bowlers, but it was always difficult to beat them, especially if Big Mac was on your side.
If you could go back and swap the red Kookaburra for a little white ball, would you?
It’s a tough one, but I don’t think I would. Don’t get me wrong, I love golf to death, but I would still choose cricket every time.
Do you have a hole-in-one on your golfing CV?
It’s a bit of a funny story, but I actually do! It happened in Sri Lanka, but on a par four. It was about 320m with a blind tee shot uphill over a mound. I didn’t see the ball go in, but my caddie did say, ‘Good shot’ as I hit it. When we arrived at the green, there was a ball about four feet from the cup, but that was Richard Snell’s. Mine was in the hole, so that’s my claim to fame.
How much golf do you watch?
I watch the sport religiously. I don’t miss a second of any Major, no matter the time, and I’m usually glued to the TV for all the best PGA and European Tour events.
Do you think the Internationals will be able to beat the US in this year’s Presidents Cup?
I really hope they can. They’ve been there and thereabouts in the past, but this year the rookies will be a little more experienced and obviously the South Africans and Australians, especially Jason Day, help to boost the team. I hope they get it together this year and finally get one over the Americans.
DONALD BIO
Allan Donald was better known as ‘White Lightning’, due to his prolific strike rate as one of South Africa’s premier fast bowlers. He topped the ICC Test Rankings in 1998 and formed a lethal combination with Shaun Pollock until Donald’s retirement in 2002. He made his debut in South Africa’s first post-isolation Test match, against West Indies, and hung up his boots as the country’s leading wicket taker with 330 Test wickets at an average of 22.25.
– This article first appeared in the May issue of Compleat Golfer, now on sale
