Meet Dainfern’s new golf director, Tim Steynberg

Dainfern Golf and Residential Estate’s new golf director, Tim Steynberg has not had an easy start to his job, but he would not have had it any differently.

Steynberg, a three-handicap player, has worked in the golf industry for 10 years and started at Dainfern in March, right before the nationwide lockdown began. His first two weeks of work were busy with golf days and Dainfern College’s annual National College Golf Championships.

Then it all came to a standstill. “I ran the Cape Gate Vaal Marathon on the day I was supposed to start work, on 1 March,” Steynberg recalled fondly. “I finished it to qualifiy to run the Two Oceans Ultramarathon and went to work a bit stiff the next day. I then worked so hard for the next two weeks before golf clubs were forced to close for the lockdown. So I went from very busy to nothing to do.”

A small team maintained the golf course during lockdown levels 5 and 4, and Steynberg assisted where and when he could. When golf eventually opened three months later, the maintenance and lack of play on the greens paid off. “There are very few pitch marks or signs of the course being used much. It has been pumping since we opened. We used to have quiet days but now we have between 100 and 160 people every day. I think people’s love for the game has come out again.”

In fact, Steynberg’s love for his job is as strong as ever. “I used to work at The Country Club Johannesburg, and at the pro shop at Ebotse Links before that. I learnt all about retail and the industry. I played golf with lots of people and found that I enjoyed working with people.” In 2011, Steynberg qualified as a PGA professional and decided he wanted to work in management at golf clubs.

When he went to The Country Club Johannesburg’s Woodmead venue, he was appointed as the youngest assistant golf directer they had ever had. Five and a half years later he moved to Dainfern to fill their golf director role. “People from young and old have been joining since we reopened and I take that as a compliment to my work. My goal is to make Dainfern a young golfer’s paradise. Right now, however, we need to follow all safety protocols and help the club get back on its feet after a long break.”

Details: Details: Dainfern Golf and Residential Estate marketing@dainfern.co.za; 011 875 0401.