Celebrated Durban author will take on Volvo Golf Champions

DURBAN born and bred, John van de Ruit may graduated with a master’s degree in drama and performance studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and his highly successful stage shows of Green Mamba and Black Mamba (in collaboration with Ben Voss) performed to sell-out audiences around South Africa as well as receiving numerous award, but Durbanites might not know that John is also a keen golfer and will take part in the Volvo Gof Champions next month..

His 2005 debut novel, Spud, was a publishing phenomenon in South Africa, smashing records and winning yet more awards. He followed it up two years later with Spud – the Madness Continues, which also received glowing reviews with both books subsequently published in the USA and the UK as well.

Two more books completed the series, Spud – Learning to Fly and Spud – Exit Pursued by a Bear and the original title was recently placed 11th on Exclusive Book’s ’101 books to read before you die’. The author has also just received the SapNet/Nielsen Gold Book Award for being the bestselling South African author of the last decade.

A feature film of Spud, was released in South Africa three years ago starring John Cleese as the eccentric Guv and Troye Sivan in the title role. It was number one at the South African box office and has since been distributed internationally. The film version of The Madness Continues was released in South Africa earlier this year, and Learning to Fly has recently finished shooting and will be on screens in December 2014.

John claims to have ”attempted but failed” to master the game of golf, but still plays off a very respectable nine handicap at his home course at Durban Country Club. It was there that he hit his first ever shot, slicing it across the bowling green when he was just 11. Despite this somewhat shaky start, he became a member of the club when he was 15 and now manages to play between six and ten rounds there each year. According to John, ”The club has undergone some positive changes in the last few years, and seems to be ever improving. The course itself has always been a magnificent test of one’s golf and it is one of my favourite parts of the city.”

Surprisingly, John has never been involved in a Pro-Am before so he is really looking forward to playing in the company of the stars of the European Tour next month. His preparation will include playing ”at least ten times over the coming weeks” and he has also installed a practice putting green in the lounge at his home. ”I’m thrilled to be taking part in the Volvo Pro-Am at my home course, Durban Country Club. My temperamental golf game notwithstanding, I greatly look forward to teeing up on the 8th of January!”

The Volvo Golf Champions takes place at Durban Country Club  from 9 to 12  January 2014. The Pro-Am precedes it on January 8th and tickets are available now at www.computicket.com, at any Computicket outlet or by phoning 08619158000.