Kotze hopes to reach greater heights on next golf tour
“I started playing golf when I around six years old, even though rugby was always my first love."
Delano Kotze (24) has his eyes set on the next level in his golfing career.
“I started playing golf when I around six years old, even though rugby was always my first love. I played rugby throughout high school,” said Kotze.
“I didn’t really start focusing on golf as my main sport until I was in my first year of university.”
Kotze admits that injuries were the main reason he had to give up on his rugby dreams.
“It was an easy transition to focus on golf because I have always played it. And it helped that my father is also such a great golfer.”
Also read: Pollak Park Golf Club round-up
Kotze moved to the USA in 2018 where he fulfilled the first part of his dream of becoming a professional golfer.
“Right now, I play in the Big Easy Tour. I want to go a level higher by competing in the Sunshine Tour,” he explained.
He hopes to be part of a qualifying school in August. The young golfer admits that it takes a lot of time and dedication to be a professional athlete.
“I am on the course seven days a week, eight hours a day. The same way other people have full-time jobs, this is mine.
“And you have to compete a lot because that helps you to adjust to the pressure.”
Kotze intends to go back to the USA next year.
Also read: Competition heats up at the Springs Country Club
“I still try to send videos to my coach in the USA, but I also have someone here to help me better my game. I am so glad that the tours in South Africa have still been carrying on. So I have been competing quite a lot.”
On May 20, Kotze shot a new low round at Springs Country Club with a score of 11 under par (61).
“It was so difficult playing on home soil when I got back. But now it is to my advantage that I can play on different types of greens,” he laughed.
Kotze said he is quite impressed with the talent of young golfers in the country.
“I have very good competition, and I respect some of these guys so much for their game. We have people like Louise Oosthuizen. But of course when it comes to development there is always room for improvement.
“I always look forward to getting my birdie. But if you get a bogey on the first try, don’t give up. There is still a lot of golf left to play.”
His favourite snack on the course is jelly babies.
Follow us on our social media platforms:
