EDITOR’S LETTER E Two industry giants: Clause & Nathan
Knucklebombs Don’t fall into this Trap Scheffler’s Swing Secret Keepers of the Green Most Copied Hole in Golf Every Hole at The Lido CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO VIEW OUR TOP SIX VIDEOS O’Grady, Keith Pelley, and Guy Kin- nings. Nathan established a strategic alliance with these two bodies which created a pathway for SA golfers to progress on to those tours. Locally, he personally ensured the revival of Soweto CC with the building of an 18-hole course and had the vision to create the Papwa Sewgolum Class for historically disadvantaged pros, help- ing them compete on an equal footing. He launched the Sunshine Ladies Tour, which this year boasts a schedule of eight tournaments, two co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour. “Selwyn’s contribution cannot simply be measured in years, but in the stability, credibility, and growth he helped foster,” said Abt. “His presence on the board brought wisdom, per- spective, and an unwavering focus on what is best for the tour and the people it serves.” Stuart McLean stuartm@morecorp.co.za
T he golf industry will soon say farewell to two influential figures in the history of our modern era, which began in the 1990s. They are Jeff Clause and Selwyn Nathan, who played vital roles in changing the landscape during their time and continued to do so well past retirement age. Clause arrived from Texas as the first golf director at Fancourt. A polished and articulate PGA club pro, he made an immediate impact with his genial personality and American get-up-and- go attitude. A breath of fresh air for an industry adjusting to a booming new era of golf course development. He enhanced and personalised the experi- ence of golfers who hadn’t previously been treated as VIP guests. His signifi- cant contribution to the growth of the game saw the PGA of SA present him with their top award, Club Pro of the Year, on four occasions. “Santa” had every club wanting a golf director on their staff, and many youngsters have since made it a career choice, trying to emulate their men- tor. For the last 20 years he has been the face at St Francis Links and will be retiring as CEO of that thriving golf estate at the end of February, although continuing as an ambassador. Even with a Jack Nicklaus Signature course, St Francis Links initially struggled to attract residents to this Eastern Cape holiday resort. Too windy, too iso- lated. But with his marketing skills Clause turned around that perception.
Tourists discovered there was a valid reason to explore the coastline east of Plettenberg Bay. When the PGA Championship was seeking a home and continued iden- tity after Covid, Clause hosted it at St Francis Links from 2021 onwards as part of the Sunshine Tour. It has been there five years. He brought the DP World Tour to this small community, who should honour him for his com- mitment, support and ambition. Nathan retires in June as Executive Director of the Sunshine Tour, with Thomas Abt, the Commissioner, as- suming all executive responsibilities. From a humble start in 1969 as an assis- tant professional, he rose to become an influential figure in world golf. Chair- man Johann Rupert said Nathan had been a cornerstone of the professional growth of the game. “Selwyn had a colourful career. What makes his contribution so enduring is that it was never limited to adminis- tration alone. He consistently used the Sunshine Tour as a platform for opportunity,” said Rupert. “His initia- tives continue to create access for our members, our development players, and women’s professional golf.” Nathan represented the tour at the founding meeting of the Internation- al Federation of PGA Tours in 1996. His longevity is such that he worked with three PGA Tour commissioners, Deane Beman, Tim Finchem and Jay Monahan, and four DP World Tour chief executives – Ken Schofield, George
GOLF DIGEST USA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JERRY TARDE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR MAX ADLER EXECUTIVE EDITOR PETER MORRICE INTERNATIONAL EDITOR JU KUANG TAN
TEACHING PROFESSIONALS: TODD ANDERSON, MARK BLACKBURN, CHUCK COOK, HANK HANEY, BUTCH HARMON, ERIKA LARKIN, DAVID LEADBETTER, CAMERON MCCORMICK, JIM MCLEAN, MICHAEL NEFF, RENEE POWELL, RANDY SMITH, RICK SMITH, DAVE STOCKTON, JOSH ZANDER PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS: AMY ALCOTT, RANDY MYERS, NICK PRICE, JUDY RANKIN, LUCIUS RICCIO, BOB ROTELLA, BEN SHEAR, RALPH SIMPSON, DR ARA SUPPIAH PLAYING EDITORS: COLLIN MORIKAWA, JORDAN SPIETH
EDITOR STUART MCLEAN DESIGN ELINORE DE LISLE MEDIA SALES DANIEL EGDES (daniele@morecorp.co.za)
A licensing agreement between Warner Brothers Discovery and Morecorp, owners of The Pro Shop and World of Golf. Warner Brothers Discovery is a global leader in real-life entertainment, serving a passionate audience of superfans around the world with content that inspires, informs and entertains.
6 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator