“From recovery to rags and rags to recovery symbolises art – a perfect compilation of human imperfections.”
This rings true for ex-pro local golfer, Eugene Maroga – just one of the many incredible success stories the Lowveld boasts.

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Maroga is now 35. From the most humble beginnings at the age of 16, he was still herding cattle near Pilgrim’s Rest with no money, even for the basics of life let alone golf clubs or balls. He recalls how they used to open spray cans to obtain the marble inside, to play with. He discovered what would later determine his future – a golf ball on Pilgrim’s Rest Golf Course.

“I’d never seen such a thing in my life,” he told Lowvelder. His curiosity got the better of him and much to his regret, having a hiding as a result, he picked it up.

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Working as a cattle herder he later regularly became a caddy for Christine Grove on Saturdays. His interest in golf grew to such an extent that he fashioned a club from a broken water pipe. When the course caught fire in burning season, damaged balls were exposed and they would use its insides, and balls they got from trawling the water hazards and he played with the other caddies on a course they created in the bush. Sometimes he would sneak on to the course at night and play the holes from memory.

He quickly became skilled; he was a natural and the members began to recognise it. Warren Southey for instance decided to sponsor his membership. With a redundant wedge and a rusty set of clubs, he dropped to scratch.
He caught the attention of other visitors, Barry and Janine Mayes, Johannesburg residents who invited Maroga to come and stay. He later also caught Johan Rupert’s, who arranged for Maroga to come and play his first rounds outside South Africa and his first professional tour event in Scotland.

He was taken up by the South African Golf Development Board and began to win tournaments.
He was set for stardom – gym, practice golf, go home, repeat. “I suddenly got a taste of freedom from which I couldn’t return. I landed in jail after I got involved in and addicted to drugs. In and out of rehab, I lost it all and I only have myself to blame,” he said.

Maroga has the scars from bullets and knifes to prove that the past is real. “My death wasn’t part of God’s plan. I was given a second chance. Only I can rise from the ashes,” which according to Maroga, is exactly what he is busy doing.

He has been clean for the past five years, and is on his way to become a pro again.
Using his own circumstances as a motivation, he is busy raising funds for the less fortunate. “There are so many talents among our youth that are yet to be exploited. You never know what lies beneath, but there lacks opportunity to become a pro,” he said.

This is why Maroga, now a golf coach will host his very first golf day in Pilgrim’s Rest on Saturday. For more information, contact 063-472-3487 or 082-432-8353.