GOLF-CHAT: Kim Strauss – keeping things cool and having a blast
She's a talented all-round sportswoman, having taken to golf later in life, with almost immediate success, and is now one of the top players in the province.
Age? 34.
Birthday? 26 July.
Second name? Will keep that secret!
Nickname? Kimmi.
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Who introduced you to tournament golf? Willem Lindeque, when he worked at the pro shop at Port Shepstone Country Club.
Clubs have you been a member at? Only Port Shepstone CC.
Earliest memory of playing golf? With my grandfather Fred, who owned the pro shop at PSCC. Chipping and putting on the practice green.
Career highlights? Winning Interclub, Club champs at Sheppie and playing for KZN.
Golf course you would love to play? St Andrew’s and Pebble Beach.
Schools attended? Port Shepstone Junior Primary, Senior Primary and High School. Also Roodepoort Hoërskool (Afrikaans).
How would you describe your swing? Depends on the nerves – it can be ease and grace or fast and blurry.
Favourite thing to watch on TV? Big Bang Theory.
Best known golfer you’ve met or played with? Colin Nel and Barry Bothma.
Holes in one? Not yet, but it is only a matter of time.
Albatross? Yes, Kloof CC 10th hole. I used a 5-wood and it wasn’t a great shot at all. It rolled out of the bunker and when we got to the green we couldn’t find it. Eventually my playing partner looked in the hole and there it was!
Fourball of choice? Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson and AB de Villers.
Favourite meal and drink? Love a braai, and a rock shandy.
Countries you have been to? India, Reunion and Zimbabwe.
Non-golfing historical figure you would like to meet or have met? Would like to meet surfing icon Kelly Slater.
What song gets you onto the dance floor? Anything with a good beat and bass.
Player you’d choose to hole a 6 foot putt to save your life? Barbara Rousseau.
Luckiest shot that mattered? 18th hole at Sheppie in my first club champs. Hit the tree and it bounced back in bounds. Managed to get it out from behind the tree on the green and save par to win by two shots that year.
One mulligan – a shot or round or moment you’d like to be able to take over? If I did, it would most likely end up in the same place!
Ever broken a club? Ladies McKenzie cup at Margate CC. Teed off on number one, drove down the fairway and my bag fell off the cart, snapping my driver. No driver for the rest of the tournament.
Any injuries you’ve had to overcome? No, been very lucky in that department.
Funniest thing you have ever seen or experienced on golf course? Must be one the of FISH moments – flip, it’s still here! The person talks up a shot and does all they can, including a practice swing, only for the ball to still be at their feet. Or one takes an almighty swing in the hope the ball is on the green but the playing partners are rolling on the fairway from laughter because the ball hasn’t moved. Believe me, I have had my fair share or both and many FISH moments!
One thing or rule you’d like to change in golf if you could? You can take your ball out of a divot in the fairway.
Best advice received? Best advice – sing, always have a song in your heart and if you can see it you can hit it.
Tell us something about yourself not many people know? I completed my matric and university degree in Afrikaans.
Most famous person outside of golf you have met? Springbok 8th man Duane Vermeulen.
What’s next for you? Explore the local golf courses and get back into the swing of things. It’s been a wild couple of months, looking forward to just being able to get back out on the course and catch up with everyone.
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