Kate Woods is the general manager of adidas, a prominent brand in SA golf and an official partner of GolfRSA. We get to know more about the woman at the helm 

Firstly, on behalf of The Golf Mag family, further congratulations on your appointment. Hopefully, you will still be able to spend time on the golf course.

Thanks for the wishes. It’s daunting but hugely exciting and the greatest honour to step into this role and lead this incredible brand in our home market. Life is certainly busy at the moment, juggling many balls in the air. The first quarter was crazy, lots of travel, and meeting all our partners and customers, but what a privilege to do so. I am still chasing around a moving ball on the hockey pitch, hoping that will help my golf, but definitely the plan is to spend more time on the course throughout the year.

With that in mind, what kind of golfer are you?

An inconsistent one! My long game is OK. My hockey probably helps in that department, but my short game sucks. I’d welcome some coaching in all areas. Luckily, I have some avid golfers in the house, so there is always someone keen to squeeze in a quick round. No membership at any club yet, although Rondebosch and Royal Cape are the most frequented, and I’m also a big fan of the Metropolitan.

Golf apparel has changed over the years and it’s not as ‘formal’ as before. What does adidas have to offer that could kit out the modern golfer?

We are certainly pushing the status quo and reimagining new possibilities when it comes to our product ranges, while not compromising on style, functionality and sustainability. Innovation and technology will always be at the core of our product. At the same time, we appreciate how important fashion is, so expect to see the most on-trend silhouettes, styles and prints on the course.

Many people would be under the impression that the adidas offer stops there. But, are there also accessories?

Our accessory product lines have seen strong traction in the marketplace completing the head-to-toe look which includes golf bags, gloves, socks, belts and towels, just to name a few.

At The Golf Mag we came across a headline in the international media this past month that said: ‘adidas Originals makes a return to golf through the Trefoil logo’. What does that mean?

We are a sports brand and the culture is born from it. Our most known logo, the tribar, represents sport and our heritage logo, the trefoil, represents lifestyle/fashion. Over the past year, you would have seen more and more ‘performance’ on the street and ‘fashion’ on the field. We realise the magic happens when we unite our product ranges and unleash the full power of the brand… so yes, expect to see more of the trefoil on the course.

As a three-time Olympian and a South African women’s hockey household name, you must have visited dozens of countries. Which stand out?

I am grateful that work and sport have taken me around the world and that adidas has been a huge part of both journeys. I enjoyed a 10-year international hockey career, with the three Olympic Games definitely being the highlights. Athens 2004, I was a youngster in the team, Beijing 2008 is where I was at the height of my career, but London 2012 holds the most special place in my heart. I was juggling full-time work, I had my 20-month-old son in the stands and visiting me in the athletes’ village. I think I was the fittest I’d ever been, managing to play virtually every minute of every game.

Were any Proteas hockey teammates keen golfers?

Yes plenty, and pretty decent too. Sanani Mangisa recently made the cut at the Dimension Data Pro Am.

Some would say that a good hockey player doesn’t make a good golfer, but what are your thoughts? Do ball-striking hockey skills translate to golf?

I think they must do a bit, the hand-eye co-ordination definitely helps, also the strength to drive far. However, I have been told I have a very ‘hockey-like’ swing, in other words, really bad golf technique!

You’ve always been a champion of transformation in sport, youth engagement and development. How does adidas fill these ideals in golf in South Africa?

It is our mission to provide more access to sport and equality within it. We feel it is not just a privilege but also our responsibility to invest in community upliftment and development through sport. Through our partnership with GolfRSA and their development initiatives, it provides a perfect platform to give back. We are also active in the clubs around the country, giving back to the caddies through various initiatives.

If you were to be handed a bucket-list family holiday which included sightseeing, golf and relaxation, which three golf courses would be on that list?

I am lucky enough to have already played Lemuria Golf Course in the Seychelles – I would definitely go back there! Augusta has to be on this list and then I’m dying to travel down to the country that is so often left off the world map, New Zealand. I’d be keen to hear what courses your readers would recommend there.