GOLF-CHAT: Sydney Shingange – setting his sights on new challenges
The former Limpopo golfer has travelled extensively around the country for work and golf. Locally, he has served as the president of the Southern KZN Golf Sub-Union, having handed over the reins recently.
Age: 46.
Birthday? 20 April.
Second name? None.
Nickname? Masido.
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Occupation? Optometrist with the Department of Health.
Who introduced you to golf? My brother Thabo.
Clubs have you been a member at? Nelspruit, Polokwane and Margate CC.
Earliest memory of playing golf? Teeing off at first light in Nelspruit with my brother Daniel. We didn’t even know there were tee times back then.
Career highlights? Playing in the SA Mid Amateur IPT for Limpopo, especially the year it was held at Durban Country Club in 2014.
Golf course you would love to play? Pebble Beach.
Schools attended? Hudson High School, Limpopo.
How would you describe your swing? Easy, elegant, sort of lazy.
Most famous person outside of golf you have met? Hugh Masekela, Ray Phiri. I’ve had drinks with a few ministers, including current ones.
Best known golfer you’ve met or played with? Met Retief Goosen but have played with Nobuhle Dlamini several times.
Holes in one? 11th at Margate CC.
Albatross? None.
Fourball of choice, amateur and pro? Amateur – my brothers Thabo and Daniel, with Mot Moleele. Pro- Tiger (who doesn’t), Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson.
Favourite meal and drink? Grilled fish and salad. Windhoek draught.
Favourite thing to watch on TV? Live sports.
Countries you have been to? Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and eSwatini.
What song gets you onto the dance floor? African jazz music.
Player you’d choose to hole a 6 foot putt to save your life? Amateur and pro… My brother Daniel. Tiger, of course.
Luckiest shot that mattered? Teethed my tee shot on the last hole at Skukuza that bounced twice across the water only to land about two metres from the hole. Ended up winning the club competition by one point.
One mulligan – a shot or round or moment you’d like to be able to take over? Missed a one metre putt on last hole in an IPT match in Middelburg to halve with both opponents.
Ever broken a club, what happened? No broken clubs.
Any injuries you’ve had to overcome? Luckily, no injuries.
Funniest thing you have ever seen or experienced on golf course? We were teeing off, about five metres in front of a boundary fence on the 18th at Polokwane. My partner hit his tee shot, only for it to ricochet off the ladies markers and land out of bounds behind us!
One thing or rule you’d like to change in golf if you could? Having to buy strangers in the clubhouse drinks just because you had a lucky hole-in-one shot!
Best and worst advice received? Best – play to your strengths; worst – keep your head down.
Tell us something about yourself not many people know? I’ve been to every major city/town in South Africa and can converse in all 11 languages.
What’s next for you? Ticking off courses on my bucket list.
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