GARY PLAYER MASTER PROS

NEVILLE SUNDELSON

NICKNAME: "Rocks"
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Gary Player Country Club
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Ben Hogan
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 63 (multiple)
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: School holidays withy friends, aged 17
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Master Pro; Gary Player School for Champions Mentor
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 42 years (joined GPGE at inception in 2002)
PLAYING ACHIEVEMENTS: SA Amateur Champion 1972; Multiple Springbok; World Amateur Champion 1973; First foreigner to win Brabazon Trophy (English Stroke-play) 1973

ADRIAAN VAN PLETZEN

NICKNAME: "Pletzy"
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Serengeti
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Gary Player & Nick Price
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 63 (Reading GC)
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: Full Member, PGA of South Africa; Official PGA Coach's Assessor
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Master Pro; Gary Player School for Champions Mentor
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 11 years
PLAYING ACHIEVEMENTS: Provincial junior & senior colours; 4 years on Sunshine Tour

STEPHAN SPIES

NICKNAME: "Spiceman"
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: CCJ Woodmead
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Lee Trevino
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 69
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: Hitting balls with my dad on holidays from age 11
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: B.Com (Law); AA Class Full Member PGA of South Africa;
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Master Pro; Gary Player School for Champions Mentor
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 8 Years
PLAYING ACHIEVEMENTS: Watch this Space!

LLOYD CAISTER

NICKNAME: "Floyd"
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Gary Player Country Club
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Nick Price
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 68
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: Learnt from an early age through my father
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: Diploma Small Business management; Diploma Marketing Management; Diploma Sports Marketing and Management; Full member, PGA of South Africa
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Master Pro; Gary Player School for Champions Mentor
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 16 years, including 9 years international
PLAYING ACHIEVEMENTS: Sunshine Tour

GARY PLAYER TEACHING PROS

IGNIS VAN DER MERWE

NICKNAME: “Slaptjips”
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Serengeti
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Arnold Palmer
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 64 (Mowbray GC)
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: My dad took me to a driving range aged 15, the challenge of making contact with such a small ball got me and I’m still learning!
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: Golf Directorship & Club Management Diploma; AA Class Full Member PGA of South Africa.
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Accredited Teaching Professional, Game Improvement Consultant
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 9 years, including 1 year international.

IAN CORBETT

NICKNAME: “Tjorps”
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Leopard Creek
FAVOURITE GOLFER: John Daly
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 72
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: Started caddying for my dad at our local course in primary school; Promoted to playing one or two holes at a time and then took initiative.
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: BA (Human Movement Sciences) Hons (Sport Science); TPI Level I Golf Fitness Professional; TPI Level II Golf Fitness Instructor; Member, PGA of South Africa Apprentice Program
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Golf Fitness Professional
GOLF FITNESS EXPERIENCE: 3 years

GAVIN GROVES

NICKNAME: “Groover”
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: La Paradis (Mauritius)
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Phil Mickelson
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 73
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: I’ve always been a sportsman, played professional rugby, and we used to go on holiday to golf resorts, so that’s where it started.
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: BA (Human Movement Sciences, Cum Laude), Hons (Biokinetics), TPI Level I Golf Fitness Professional; TPI Level II Medical Professional; Member, PGA of South Africa Apprentice Program
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Golf Fitness Professional and Biokineticist
GOLF FITNESS EXPERIENCE: 3 years

SCOTT BULLOCK

NICKNAME: “Scotty”
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Zimbali
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Jack Nicklaus
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 67
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: Passion for Golf
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: Golf Directorship & Club Management Diploma; Full Member, PGA of South Africa
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Accredited Teaching Professional; Game Improvement Consultant.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 6 years

BERNARD van de MEEBERG

FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Fancourt Links & Leopard Creek
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Ernie Els
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 67
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: Watched my dad play as a small boy and got hooked on the game!
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: Member, PGA of South Africa Apprentice Program
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Accredited Teaching Professional
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 2 years
PLAYING ACHIEVEMENTS: Provincial & University representative golf

KIRSTEIN WESSELS

NICKNAME: "Gabba"
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Ebotse
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Robert Karlson
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 68
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: Passion for Golf
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: Golf Directorship & Club Management Diploma; Full Member, PGA of South Africa
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Accredited Teaching Professional
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 4 years

SUNÉ GOUWS

FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Serengeti
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Michelle Wie
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 88
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: Love of the outdoors, passion for human movement sciences and interest in it's application to ball sports
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: BA (Human Movement Sciences) Hons (Biokinetics); Sports & Therapeutic Massage Therapist; TPI Level I Golf Fitness Professional; TPI Level II Medical Professional; Qualified Power- Plate Instructor
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Golf Fitness Professional, Massage Therapist and Biokineticist
GOLF FITNESS EXPERIENCE: 3 years

WILLEM RICHARDS

NICKNAME: "Clutchy"
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Champagne Sports Resort
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Adam Scott
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 64 (Randfontein GCC)
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: Been passionate about this game since I can remember
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: Member, PGA of South Africa Apprentice Program
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Accredited Teaching Professional
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 4 years
PLAYING ACHIEVEMENTS: 2 x Top 10 finishes at PGA of SA Apprentice Championships

STIAAN KOTZE

NICKNAME: "Stineman"
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Ebotse
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Henrik Stenson
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 64
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: Love of all ball sports
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: Golf Directorship & Club Management Diploma; Member, PGA of South Africa Apprentice Program
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Accredited Teaching Professional
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 2 years
PLAYING ACHIEVEMENTS: Kempton Park Club Champs Runner-up; Top 10's in Open amateur events

STUART BLACKIE

NICKNAME: "Stoot"
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Simola
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Retief Goosen
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 68 (Knysna GC)
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: Playing golf with my dad from the age of 6.
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: BA Information Science; Golf Directorship & Club Management Diploma; Member, PGA of South Africa Apprentice Program
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Accredited Teaching Professional; Game Improvement Consultant.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 3 Years
PLAYING ACHIEVEMENTS: Wanderers Junior Club Champion

KOBIE SMIT

NICKNAME: "Toppie "
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Leopard Creek
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Tom Watson
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 69
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: Rugby Injury, not allowed contact sport, started playing golf.
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: Member, PGA of South Africa Apprentice Program; Management Advancement Program (Wits Business School)
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Accredited Teaching Professional
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 1 ? years.

KEVIN JONES

NICKNAME: "Mouse"
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: The Links at Fancourt
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Luke Donald
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 74
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: Thanks to my Dad and love of all sports
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: B-Tech (Officiating & Coaching Sciences); National Diploma (Club Professional Golfing); Full Member, PGA of South Africa
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Accredited Teaching Professional
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 2 YEARS

LEE SANGYONG

FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Randpark
FAVOURITE GOLFER: KJ Choi
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 75
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: A friend showed me the sport in 2001 I was immediately interested in improving.
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: SAGTF Diploma
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Accredited Teaching Professional
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 4 years

ROY MHLAMBI

NICKNAME: “Rooi”
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Royal Johannesburg and Kensington
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Retief Goosen
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 68 : Royal Johannesburg and Kensington West
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: My dad was a golfer and got me to start playing at the age of 14
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: Founder member of the PGA; Member, PGA of South Africa Apprentice Program
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Accredited Teaching Professional
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 9 years
PLAYING ACHIEVEMENTS: Sunshine senior tour card holder, 32 years playing experience

DAVID RYAN

FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Gary Player Country Club
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Nick Price
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 62
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: Curiosity
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: Sports and Event Management Diploma; Member, PGA of South Africa Apprentice Program
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Accredited Teaching Professional
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 2 years
PLAYING ACHIEVEMENTS: Played 7 years on the Sunshine Tour. Played in the USA in 2003 and 2005.

EDDIE JACKSON

NICKNAME: “Broer”
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Ebotse
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Jack Nicklaus
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 65 Walker Park
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: started at Beachwood golf club about 1968 because of friend
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: PGA of South Africa Apprentice Program, MB master builder diploma
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Accredited Teaching Professional
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 15 years
PLAYING ACHIEVEMENTS: Sunshine Senior Tour card holder, 32 years playing experience, 2004 Senior Players Championship winner

DERRICK LEKOMA

NICKNAME “Dee”
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Observatory
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Tiger Woods
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 70 Kempton Park
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: Started as a caddie at CCJ and Windsor Park in the late 60’s.My brother got me playing while I was caddying.
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: Full Member, PGA of South Africa; PGA of South Africa Founder Tour Member
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Accredited Teaching Professional, GARY PLAYER AWARD 2007 & 2009
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 20 years
PLAYING ACHIEVEMENTS: Sunshine Senior Tour card holder

NATHAN MALULEKA

NICKNAME: “Styles”
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Zwartkop Country Club.
FAVOURITE GOLFER:Richard Sterne.
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 65 (Irene Country Club)
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: I started as a caddie in 1964 and took up golf in 1966 on the veld in Alexandra township.
DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: Full member PGA of South Africa; Diploma Warehousing Management; PGASA Golf Directorship Diploma
GPGE STATUS: Gary Player Accredited Teaching Professional
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 15 years
PLAYING ACHIEVEMENTS: Sunshine tour in 1980 to 1983

DANNY BALESON

NICKNAME: "Little Ballenz"
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Leopard Creek
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Gary Player
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 73
HOW I GOT INTO THE GAME: My older brother, Gary, was a Tour pro - I fell in love with golf by watching him compete in the early days of the Sunshine Tour. DEGREES/DIPLOMAS/QUALIFICATIONS: SA Panel of Tennis Coaches, 1973 - 2003
GPGE STATUS: Operations Director
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Overseeing the teaching principles of GPGE since 2002

OUR FRIENDLY HOSPITALITY DESK: 011 545 8618

CANDICE CITTO

SHORT GAME SCHOOLS

NICKNAME: "Kandas"
FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE: Gardener Ross
FAVOURITE GOLFER: Annika Sorenstam
LOWEST 18-HOLE SCORE: 94
GPGE STATUS: Hospitality desk

candicec@gpge.co.za