The Curlewis name has in many ways become synonymous with Margate Country Club.
In what is a bittersweet moment, Andrew Curlewis, who has served as golf pro, greenkeeper and so much more, will be leaving the club to take up a position at the esteemed Silver Lakes Golf Estate in Pretoria.
It really was an opportunity he could not refuse. He starts on April 1.
Members held a farewell function for him last Saturday, enjoying some golf but enjoying the camaraderie afterwards even more.
There isn’t a person anywhere who knows Margate CC better than Andrew.
He grew up watching his father Ivan win many club championships. He wasn’t much more than a kid when Margate won the KZN Interclub on home soil, with father and son in the team that also included Danie Muller and Austin Oosthuizen.
Andrew would go on to win the club champs a few times, as well as a number of provincial tournaments including the KZN Amateur at Durban CC, before earning his Sunshine Tour card.
He had some success, winning three tournaments, including at the Wild Coast Sun in front of family and friends but his career was curtailed somewhat by untimely injuries.
He opted to stay in Margate and use his resources and love for the course to help keep the club going in difficult economic times, and especially so during the Covid pandemic.
Curly was often first to arrive and last to leave, mowing fairways, seeing to the greens and even helping in the bar. Nothing was ever too much.
Now he has a wonderful opportunity to use his vast knowledge of the game and people in it, upcountry.
He is sad to go but knows it’s the right time. The weather and dress code may be a little different but he’s looking forward to the opportunity, even if it means he will probably have to wear long pants and buy himself a tie.
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