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This month we feature Krugersdorp Golf Club and speak to golf director Calvin Caldeira

What is your journey to becoming golf director at Krugersdorp?

I have been a member at Krugersdorp Golf Club for 24 years, so this is where the passion for the game began. My father, who is also a PGA professional, got me on to the course early on. I played league for the club for many years as well as for almost every age category in the Central Gauteng Provincial teams and eventually managed to win our Club Championships in 2011. Turning professional the following year, I spent a few years on Tour before completing my PGA degree and found my calling in golf retail. I took over the on-course pro shop in 2019 and after a few years was approached by the club to take over as golf director.

What golf highlights and ambitions do you have?

I have managed to win numerous times as a pro, including the Acushnet Classic Series (three times), the Mbombela National Pro Am (twice) and three times on the Heineken National Pro Am series, but my biggest accomplishment came when I was part of a four-man PGA National squad that took part in the Four Nations Cup against New Zealand, Canada and Australia in 2022. Then the following year I captained the same squad to Melbourne. I am still dedicated to improving my game and would love to win a PGA National Championship.

People might think a golf director plays most days. What is the reality?

I play at least once a week. It is not only to keep me sharp, but is a crucial part of my process in identifying things around the course that need to be worked on by our groundstaff. One would reckon you could get tired of the workplace, but I still have such a passion for the game that even on my weekends off I play with our regular Saturday members. Being on the course is my happy place.

What does your day-to-day involvement entail?

I often refer to myself as a firefighter as we tend to put out fires, but all jokes aside, it is an incredibly busy role that requires one to be very organised. My week generally consists of a daily drive around the course making notes of what I would like to be done by our course staff, running all the golf days we have booked, along with club competitions, setting the course up in terms of pins and tees, running all leagues, managing bookings, and a big part of my time is actually spent in my office answering mails and doing admin.

Gallery below

What can a first-time visitor expect to experience at the club?

We are a real hidden gem on the West Rand of Johannesburg. Starting in 1900, we have an immense history behind what has become a tricky layout. A full parkland design that is tree-lined on all 18 holes, players need to work the ball both ways in the air to get around many of our dog-legs. We are not very long, but one needs to hit it straight off the tee and must be accurate when approaching our greens. Our front nine has three par fives but the back nine is a real test, finishing with four challenging par fours. Our members and staff are all so friendly, and we have a great vibe around the entire club.

VISITOR GREENFEES

R360 weekdays

R440 weekends

R450 golf cart

What is your signature hole and how do you play it?

The par-three 6th plays 166m off the members’ tees and 183m off the back. A challenging shot with a massive dam hugging the right side of the hole and wrapping around the right and back part of the green, it is also protected by a bunker short and a bunker left of the green. I always move the ball right to left in the air, so I generally like to start my ball on the right edge of the green and draw it away from the water.

What big tournaments have you hosted at Krugersdorp?

We were the venue of choice for the Lombard Classic on the Sunshine Tour for many years, but we have recently hosted a few Big Easy Tour events, including one in October last year, with the next one being scheduled for 10-13 November this year.

What are the biggest challenges when it comes to attracting visitors and new members?

We are facing the same challenges as everybody in the golfing industry. Economically things are tough and golf is a game dependent on discretionary income. Equipment and rounds are expensive and combating this is probably the toughest challenge. We need to keep prices low to attract players, but also need to increase fees to keep up with rising expenses. I do, however, think that golf is in a good place, and we are seeing a massive migration towards outdoor activities which has brought many new players into the sport.

Tell us about the 19th hole and the atmosphere.

We have a great membership base with camaraderie between our different social groups, making for a good vibe around our lapa bar after the game on any given day. During the winter months we migrate to our main bar overlooking the 18th green, with a cozy fireplace and traditional long bar. However, the banter under the lapa and the fact conversations are often grown by tables being pulled together is second to none.

DISTANCE FROM

Fourways 34km

Johannesburg 46km

Pretoria 64km

Bloemfontein 415km

Kimberley 480km

Durban 608km

East London 975km

Gqeberha 1 090km

Cape Town 1 416km

CALLING ALL CLUBS

As industry leaders, we at The Golf Mag are committed to being the hub of the South African golfing community. With this in mind we are reaching out to golf clubs in the country to highlight them in the magazine.

This could be in the form of an interview with the golf club’s president, executive member, general manager, PGA pro, greenkeeper... basically anyone you would like us to focus on.

CALLING ALL CLUBS

This could be in the form of an interview with the golf club’s president, executive member, general manager, PGA pro, greenkeeper... basically anyone you would like us to focus on.

We are encouraging all golf clubs to contact us and nominate themselves for a mention in the magazine. To feature in the mag, simply email us on contact@thegolfmag.co.za explaining who you would like to represent your golf club.

DEON VAN DER MERWE/SUNSHINE TOUR/SUPPLIED/KRUGERSDORP GC

06/03/2025 08:11:19