every opportunity. Neil and I improved rapidly, influenced by David Suddards, Brian Turner, and Tony Johnstone. Our sister Erica was an accomplished golfer too and it was a special family celebration when she and I won the Natal Mixed Foursomes in 1981. Tony had an incredible work ethic, practis- ing for hours each day, his huge divots on the range making him the scourge of the greenkeeper. On the course he could get hot under the collar. On Roy- al’s 16th, which had a soggy fairway, Tony fatted a wedge to the green. A red mist descended, and he took out his ir- ritation on the fairway with the wedge, leaving a “divot” two metres long. In the clubhouse having a drink, a member announced he had just seen the biggest fairway divot of his life right in the mid- dle of the 16th. None of us said a word. ● ● ● My two-year national service was in the Navy, originally in Simonstown, but mainly at Wingfield in Goodwood. I represented Western Province before receiving my Natal colours. I’ve won club championships at Metropolitan, my club in Cape Town during those years, Royal Durban, and Glendower, when I moved to Johannesburg in 1984. ● ● ● I used the train service to get around to golf courses in Cape Town, especially Mowbray, where I of- ten played, thanks to the pro, Ken Elkin. I was stationed at Wingfield when the 72-hole WP Strokeplay was at Mowbray in 1979. I caught the train on Saturday morning from Wingfield to Maitland, then changed trains for Mowbray. The station in those days was at the club- house, close to the 10th tee. On Sunday morning I repeated the trip, but at Mai- tland I learned that trains to Mowbray were not running as they were work- ing on the line. In full naval uniform I set off at a gallop to the club, carrying my golf bag and change bag, to make my tee time. I didn’t know what road to take, so I ran all the way along the railway line! When I arrived, hot and bothered, I was welcomed with a two- stroke penalty for being late on the tee. Another minute and I would have been disqualified. To this day, Cape Town golfers from that era still ask how my running is coming on! ● ● ●
I first encountered Fred Beaver when he was part of a Rhodesian junior team – including Nick Price and Denis Watson – which came to Durban in 1973. Fred won the SA Boys at Durban Country Club. After a stint as assistant to Peter Matkovich at Cir- cle Country Club, Fred was appointed club pro when the Wild Coast opened. That was 42 years ago and he’s still go- ing strong, despite losing his right leg. Fred has been a loyal friend, always en- couraging me, wanting us to do better at Southbroom. Fred could really play, but for some reason he never wanted to. On the few occasions we were due to play, it was either too hot or too windy and Freddie suggested lunch instead. What a character! ● ● ● Mark McNulty has a home down the road at San Lameer and he is great for the South Coast. Although Mark has seen me on a couple of occasions for help with his short game, the truth is I have learned far more from Mark than he has from me. We played at Southb- room recently and Mark cruised round in 65 at age 71. ● ● ● I was 12 when my older brother Neil and I began caddying for our dad (Maurice) at Royal Durban. The club encouraged juniors and we practised at
and it’s what the club is about, afford- ability, playability and fun. If you don’t have fun playing golf here, you’re not going to have fun anywhere! And you don’t need to ride in a golf cart. ● ● ● The straightaway par-5 17th is my favourite hole. At 449m it’s not long, but it has two fairway bunkers on the right and a mature Milkwood on the left that together narrow the landing area and make for a tough tee shot, espe- cially when the wind blows. Soon after I arrived at the club, heavy winds top- pled the Milkwood. Several members wanted it removed, but the late Roel Germs and I were adamant it should be retained. It remains a key feature of the hole. A small, shapely green rounds off a challenging 5. ● ● ● Roel Germs, a Hollander who lived much of his life at Southbroom, served the club in various capacities over many years, including captain and president. He had a positive influence on my own personal development. Roel was a builder and together we worked on various projects to improve the course. I am indebted to him for his enthusiasm, encouragement, and guid- ance. He died in 2020 and I miss his en- ergy and passion. ● ● ●
GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA 101
MARCH/APRIL 2025
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