Kenneth Dube is the golf director at the Royal Oak Country Club. The local professional runs the Kenneth Dube Golf Academy at the club, which also caters for underprivileged children from areas like KwaThema and Tsakane, who may never have had the opportunity to play the sport.
• How did you get into golf and what sparked your interest in taking up the sport?
I got into golf in 1991 at the age of 22 years, when I was employed as a shopkeeper at the pro shop at Huddle Park. The course employees would play every day after work. They would see this young guy in the shop and say: “Come and have a few shots.” One of the guys I would play against gave me a 10-shot head start for just nine holes; I went out with him and he beat me. I thought I was really bad and so I started practising to beat him. I eventually started beating all of them and they all started running away. I started climbing up through the leagues and in ’96 I turned professional (only three years an amateur).
• What is, in your opinion, the state of golf in Brakpan and the East Rand area in general?
The East Rand has produced a lot of the top players in golf, along with Gauteng Central. The state of golf in the East is very good.
• You are a big advocate for development of young golfers, tell us what you think makes a successful golfer?
Dedication, number one, and a love for the game, number two. If you love the sport you will go far. You don’t play this sport because you want to make money, you play it to better yourself. If you are good at the sport then you will make it. Just enjoy it.
• Why should Brakpan and East Rand residents continue to support Royal Oak Country Club, what makes this club special?
The great thing about this club is it is open to everyone. When you come to this club you feel at home, there is no politics. Everyone is always smiling here. Our fees are also lower than other courses around and the conditions are excellent.
• What are your goals for the rest of 2016 for the club and what are you still hoping to achieve on the greens and fairways this year?
We want to make our greens at Royal Oak the best. We want to sort out the fairways to make sure they are always green and that there’s no dust.
We are also busy with new sand in the bunkers. Personally, I just want to win, it’s always like that with me. I have a few tournaments lined up still and I am going to try to win them all. I have been putting a lot of work into my putting, in particular.
• How would the young players in your academy describe you?
I think they would describe me as a legend. In the past three weeks I have been on TV, on SuperGolf, and the children get very excited about it and are inspired by it.
• Who is your favourite golfer, and why?
I have two: Ernie Els and Tiger Woods. Ernie because his swing is so simple and easy and Tiger because he changed the way golfers think in terms of fitness, building strength and staying focused.
• Describe a typical day, how do you spend your time?
I am always on the golf course, managing the club, looking after the workers here. On my off days, I like to play golf (that’s me, I’m always playing golf). I also enjoy hunting and I love fishing.
• What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
To respect everyone, irrespective of age, and to treat all people equally.
