Hello Golfers 

Growing up in South Africa, I always thought golf was a sport for the older generation. My life revolved around rugby, where the thrill of the game and the camaraderie it fostered were everything to me. Sports weren’t just an activity; they were my lifestyle. But everything changed when I moved to the UK in 2004.

At first, I juggled odd jobs while traveling, all while pursuing my love for sports. I played rugby for local clubs and, in 2014, earned my personal training qualification, which was a significant step toward my dream career.

 

By chance, I stumbled upon a dilapidated gym, a place I had trained boxing for three years. It was a mess—filled with leaks, mould, and dust—and the owner was beginning to lose interest in it. After lying dormant for about six months, I saw a diamond in the rough. Seizing the opportunity, I made a deal with the owner. With great determination, I spent three months renovating the space, and in March 2016, The Bunker Gym was born. My life was on an upward trajectory: a new gym, new clients, and a brand new girlfriend, who I later married.

 

That summer, I received an invitation to a beach rugby tournament in Italy. Eager to showcase my South African rugby skills, I arrived with high hopes. However, fate had other plans. A nasty foot injury had sidelined me for a couple of years before this,  but I felt ready to make my mark again at the tournament. Unfortunately, during a match against the Americans, I went in for a tackle and suddenly found myself headfirst in the sand. The excruciating pain led me to believe I had shattered my elbow, but the reality was far more severe.

 

I had to rushed to two different hospitals for X-rays and as I lay on a stretcher at the second hospital, an Italian doctor delivered the shocking news: I had broken my neck. I faced a choice: a 2.5-hour ambulance ride or a 45-minute flight in an emergency helicopter. (Keep in mind, I hadn’t taken out sports insurance and couldn’t afford the cost of the helicopter never mind if I needed surgery.) We weighed my girlfriend, Kezza  ( now my wife ) so she could accompany me on the flight and there was only so much weight the helicopter could carry. Other wise it was long journey in a taxi for her. 

 

The next few days were a blur. The morphine kept me in and out of consciousness as I spent a couple of weeks in ICU in Italy before being flown to London’s Charing Cross ICU for further treatment. After discussions with my consultant, I faced a harsh reality: contact sports, including rugby, were off the table for me.

In a twist of fate, my doctor suggested I try golf. Skeptical yet willing to explore new horizons, I took his advice as needed some sort of sport in my life and after a couple of years of recovery. I headed to the driving range, where I swung my first club. With all my might, I hit the driver, shanks, tops massive slices and the biggest hooks you’ll ever see was all you could see. But out of a hundred swings I took, only one went dead straight, hitting the back of the net.

 

In that moment, I was hooked. All I wanted to do was see that little ball soar through the air and find its target way back of the net.  What began as a reluctant journey into golf transformed into a passionate pursuit that not only changed my life but also shaped my career.

 

Golf has become a sport that challenges me like no other. Having played and excelled in many sports, I can confidently say that mastering golf is one of the hardest pursuits for me its so counter intuitive & for most amateurs like me who pick it up later in life the game can humble you quick.  The power dynamics in golf are unique, and finding that effortless yet powerful swing—like Rory McIlroy’s is like trying to catching a majestic sailfish.

 

The beauty of golf lies in its inclusivity. Thanks to the handicap system and Stable-ford rules, anyone can enjoy the game, regardless of age or skill level. It doesn’t matter if you’re a teenager, a retired man, or a female golfer; golf is for everyone. The best part is that you can play well into your later years—far beyond the retirement age of many other sports.

 

Golf gets you outdoors, walking for more than 5 kilometres on most golf tracks, and offers a mix of mental challenges, exhilaration, and frustration. It’s time spent with friends, time away from the hustle and bustle, and a chance to simply be free for those precious 4-5 hours on the course.

 

Join me in celebrating the joys of golf, a sport that continues to shape my life and offers endless opportunities for connection, growth, and enjoyment. Let’s play the game we love forever.