Going pro is Hannes’ dream

A talented young man aged only 16 is aiming for great heights in the world of golf.

Hannes Strooh Junior has an amazing talent and has been playing golf since an early age. He grew up on a driving range that his dad owns.

According to Hannes Strooh Senior, his son was in Laerskool Rapportryer and in Hoërskool Riebeeckrand until Grade 9 when he left school this year to play golf full-time and to pursue his dream of playing golf professionally.

At the age of nine Hannes Junior started playing competitive golf and won the Randfontein B Division Club Champs at the age of 11. He started to play for Central Gauteng’s U/13 team at the age of 11 and also competed in the SA U/13 competition in the same year.”

Hannes Senior explained that Hannes has competed in multiple big-name tournaments, including the SA U/13, SA U/15, SA U/17 and SA U/19 competitions for Central Gauteng.

In 2018 and 2019 he came second in the U/15s, and in 2021 he won the SA U/19 match play at the age of 16.

“Hannes became the Krugersdorp Club Champ in March, boasting with scores of 67 and 71, and in April this year he was the NOMADS SA Boys U/19 Match Play Champion.”

He explained that it is his son’s dream to turn professional at the age of 18.

“His dream is to become number one in the world. He wants to play on the Sunshine Tour, then qualify to play on the European Tour, and then play on the PGA tour in the States.”

Currently Hannes is still ranked as an amateur, and is 59th overall in South Africa, with a handicap of +3.9.

Since Hannes was young he wanted to become a world number one like Tiger Woods. His other heroes include Bobby Locke, Gary Player, Ernie Els and Ian Poulter,” said Hannes Senior.

Hannes Junior has never had a coach or one golf lesson.

“I have given him tips about the basics because it’s all hard work and dedication. You need to focus on your strengths and develop your game around it, and after that it takes hitting many balls.”

Hannes Junior spends about eight hours a day on golf and he usually hits in excess of 500 balls.

“His driver was his strength since a young age, and he hits the ball further than the average player and manages to get it in the fairway. As he got older and stronger he became an exceptional bunker player.”

His dad said Hannes has a unique way of looking at the game, making sure he scores when it matters and is an exceptional match-play player.

According to Hannes Senior, golf is expensive and there is no easy way around it.

Some of Hannes Jnr’s greatest achievements in golf:

• Became the youngest winner of a A division Club Championship in South Africa at the age of 12 in 2016, and won the Randfontein Club Championship
• Randfontein Club Champion in 2017, 2018 and 2019
• Krugersdorp Club Champion for 2020 and 2021
• He is currently ranked number one for U/17 and number four for U/19 in South Africa