NEWCASTLE – It’s one thing to be brave.
It’s another thing entirely to place yourself in harm’s way, stare down an armed criminal and do the right thing to protect someone else.
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Thus, Dries Els has earned his new nickname, Captain Courageous.
On Saturday, a visiting golfer from Durban entered the Lions Braai Day competition, and during the course of play, found his wallet and wedding band missing from his golf kart.
“I felt bad for him. He had to lend money to get back home,” said Mr Els, the Captain for Newcastle Golf Club.
Mr Els approached other golfers regarding the theft but found nothing more.
He returned to the golf club on Sunday and spoke with the caddies, and was informed the alleged thief planned to rob a group of golfers on an isolated portion of the course.
“I went down to the river to warn the golfers, then I found the guy one hole away. He claimed he was searching for golf balls.”
Far from letting the matter rest, Mr Els confronted the caddy about his deeds.
He insisted upon a search of the man, and was about to give up the hunt when he felt a metal object nestled in the armpit of the caddy’s jacket.
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Fortunately, the weapon was not loaded.
“Maybe it was stupid of me to do that,” he laughed. “It was a gamble from my side, but I’m willing to protect another person.”
After a long few hours, involving a search of the caddy’s home and the intervention of 911 Community Policing, the suspect was released on condition he returned the stolen items.
By Monday, the wedding band was returned, but not the wallet.
“I’ve taken the matter further with SAPS now.”
Mr Els explained the caddies were searched regularly, but had also since gone further to caution all visitors about the reality of crime.
“I’m warning others not to leave any valuables where they can be stolen. This guy was away from the kart for a few seconds when he was robbed.”
