A Day Spent With PGA Honorary Life President
Looking back at his junior golfing days
Denis Hutchinson holds the distinction of being the last amateur to win the South African Open, beating Gary Player by one shot. His amateur career was exemplary as he holds the record for the lowest overall score, played in 16 club championships and won them all and holds the record by a Springbok Golfer for having won 27 straight matches. As a professional, he represented South Africa in the World Cup of Golf in both 1962 and 1964before going on to win the French Open in 1966. Cathrine Nzimande chatted to Denis about his junior golfing days.
Denis can still be found at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club every Tuesday, doing his weekly visit to the ladies of the PGA head office, greeting them and making them smile. He is a sought-after speaker and has received the Contribution to Golf award from Compleat Golf Magazine as well as the highly prestigious, PGA of Europe Five Star Professional of the year award. Through his commentary of televised golf, his knowledgeable and kind style has epitomised what it means to be a true PGA Professional – to love the game and compete in the right spirit. You would be hard-pressed to find a professional or keen golfer who does not hold him in high esteem. “The voice of golf” has been a member of the PGA for 62 years and holds the classification of Master Professional, Honorary Life Member and Honorary Life President of the PGA of South Africa.
How was golf when you were a junior?
I grew up in Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe, a long, long time ago, they were very good to juniors at the clubs there. Junior golf back then was still in its infancy, but the clubs were open to us playing and we had junior tournaments, which the junior foundation founded. We were told that we were lucky, because they were happy for us to play, even if it was just on weekends and every school holiday there were always a couple of tournaments so it was great!
Where did you play and what did it cost to play?
I played at a course called Hillside Golf Club as a junior, we would pay our membership fee but never had to pay for your round if I remember correctly. A ball in those days cost about R5 not as they do it today. Good money and competition, I promise you! My real feel for the game came when my eldest sister had gone to Rhodes University, and since my parents and most of my family are teachers, we were lucky to get long holidays. We went down to visit my sister for Christmas, this was in 1945, when my dad asked me why I didn’t want to play golf and my response to him was that I didn’t want to play an old man’s game! I Eventually played and that’s how I got into it. My dad bought me my first clubs from a major Dobbin when I was 13 and I played in Port Alfred for the first time in 1945, but then I got bilharzia and I couldn’t play the more strenuous tournaments. I then really started taking my game seriously after my recovery in 1947.
What equipment did you play with?
I started off with Hickory Shafts. I actually won a set for being the most improved player.
What golf balls did you use?
I played with Dunlop 65 golf balls. At the time it was the most popular golf ball available.
What was your favourite golf club to play at?
As a junior, it was Hillside Golf Club, but I also loved playing at what was originally known as Salisbury Golf Club. This club was granted Royal Patronage in December 1929 and its name changed again to Royal Harare Golf Club in 1980. Another great course was Henry Chapman. Peter Matkovich redesigned today’s Chapman Golf Club in 1995. My favourite club to use on the course back then was my driver. I think we all just love our driver, as you hit the furthest with it and I could hit it very straight. When I was playing with the Hickory shafts, there was an iron in the bag called a ‘jigger’. It was also a great little club. You could chip with it and it was just a beautiful club to play with.
What do you encourage juniors of today’s era to do?
I think it’s good to remember that golf is meant to be fun but a lot of youngsters get too serious too soon. It’s important to have the basics in hand, firstly start by learning how to grip the club properly, learn how to control the clubface and secondly how you stand with the ball. I started with a bad grip, it’s a real devil to try to get that grip right, but you can always learn from the good players out there and lastly get onto the course and just play!
And how do you feel about t kids starting golf at a very young age? What do you advise on a certain age to start as a junior?
A lot of kids start playing from a very young age like four or five years old, I believe that at this age it really should be more focused on having fun and less focused on winning competitions and taking it too seriously. There will come a time to get serious about it and get further ahead, mentally and physically. Golf is very special.
In closing…
Remember this… no matter how old you are golf is meant to bring you joy. At my age, you might not be able to hit the ball as far as you used to, but you can still go out there and have fun. I advise you to get let a lesson now and then to help you keep your game in shape and don’t ever lose the joy of play.