GOLF-CHAT: Andrew Curlewis – cool, calm and connected
Andrew Curlewis is one of the very few home-grown players who have gone on to a career in the professional ranks who is based on the coast. He's the pro at Margate Country Club.
Age? 36.
Birthday? 19 August.
Second name? Geoffrey.
Nickname? Curly.
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Who introduced you to golf? My dad, Ivan.
Which clubs have you been a member at? Margate Country Club and Southbroom Golf Club.
Which was the first golf course you ever played at? Margate CC. I can’t remember much except it was a lot of golf. First hole score of 142!
What is your career highlight? Winning the KZN Amateur, KZN Strokeplay and KZN Closed, all in the same year. Made the national U21 team. My three wins as a professional are special. If I had to choose one it would be winning at the Wild Coast in front of friends and family.
Golf course you would love to play? There are plenty of courses, but would have to choose Pebble Beach.
Schools you attended? Margate Primary and Port Shepstone High School.
If you could win any of the Majors, which one? PGA Championship.
Pros and cons of life as a professional? We are very lucky, getting to travel the world playing a sport we love. It doesn’t get much better than that. The worst part is when you are going through a tough patch and you are away from your support system; it does get lonely at times.
Holes in one? 6. Selborne Park (18th), Arabella CC (17th), Margate CC (8th and 16th twice), Devonvale GC (7th).
Albatross? 2. 18th at Arabella CC (par 5 ) and 18th at Selborne Park (par 4).
Fourball amateur; fourball pro?Amateur – definitely my dad, plus … not too fussy, so many to choose from. Pro – Tiger Woods, Moe Norman, Jack Nicklaus, Rory McIlroy.
Beef or chicken? Chicken.
World Cup final, T20 cricket or rugby? Rugby.
Countries you have been to? Swaziland, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Asia (all over, can’t remember all the places), England, Russia, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius.
Player you’d choose to hole a 6 foot putt to save your life? Amateur – my dad Ivan; pro – Steve Stricker.
Luckiest shot that mattered? 17th at Arabella CC, a par three. I pulled my tee shot left, it hit the bank, took a huge bounce right and rolled across the green into the hole! Went on to win the tournament.
One shot or round or moment you’d like to take over? None. Everything has happened for a reason so I can’t complain. Been very fortunate for what golf has done for me.
Ever broken a club, what happened? Nope.
Ever felt like quitting? If you say no you are lying, we’ve all had our moments.
Ever had an N/R? Had to withdraw after round 1 of an event due to a wrist injury which needed surgery.
Funniest thing you have ever experienced on golf course? Watching certain guys lose their temper can be funny sometimes.
What irritates you most in golf? Missing cuts. No matter how long you play this game missing cuts always hurts.
Best and worst advice received? Best – always focus on the next shot, nothing you can do about the last one. Worst – you have to change your swing to get better.
Historical figure (dead or alive) you would liked to have met? Arnold Palmer.
Advice to anyone taking up the game? Golf is very simple. Stick to the basics and you will be fine. We all have different swings so don’t try to copy someone else’s.
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