He spent decades at the forefront of South African sports media, attending and writing on some of the biggest events in the world. His career included 28 years as editor of SA Cricket Annual. Now Colin Bryden finds himself as the subject of a success story.

The sporting allrounder became a new member of The Golf Mag's Hole-In-One Club – which puts himself in with a chance of winning R50 000 in cash. Every golfer who has qualified for the club in the sixth-month period from May to October goes into the draw.

Bryden's big moment came at his home club, De Zalze Golf Club, in Stellenbosch.

'In the midst of a pretty mediocre round I hit a good shot, nice flight always on target, landed just short and rolled in,' he says of his perfect fluke. 'It was soon after hollow tining so whether that affected the roll or not I don't know.'

Playing off a HI of 11.3 – 'it's gone out to 13.2 since!' – he was using a Mizuno JPX925 Hot Metal Pro 9-iron, and playing the 3rd hole at De Zalze at 109m off the blue tees.

'One of my playing partners said, "It's going in the hole," and we saw it do exactly that. I might have said "oh wow" but I didn't jump up and down or do anything dramatic.'

As a member at De Zalze he says, 'I normally play twice a week in our Wednesday and Saturday competitions. It's my first hole-in-one, but I've had several near misses over the years. Such modest achievements I have had as a golfer have come late in life when I have been able to play more regularly.

'I broke 80 for the first time when I was in my 60s – I shot two-over 74 at De Zalze, which remains my joint best score to par. I won our club B Division title when I was 70. The A Division was won by Garrick Higgo before he became a successful pro. He was 18 – a 52-year difference.'

'Now I have moved to the blue tees and have broken my age twice, once when I was 77 (shot 76) and once since I turned 78 (shot 77) but these are rare events. But at least they were in individual competitions so genuine scores and with no gimmes!'

One might assume that he pocketed the ball and has it in safe keeping somewhere? 'Actually no! I was using a Srixon Soft Feel – I save my ProVs for when I am less likely to lose them. It didn't occur to me to keep the ball and I probably lost it later in the round.'

At least he has the memory – and the certificate, along with a ticket into the R50 000 draw.

Snyman & Van der Vyver has long been associated with the business of protecting exceptional moments – and when The Golf Mag introduced the Hole‑in‑One Club, the fit was immediate and unmistakable.

'We didn't see this as just a sponsorship,' explains Len Faul of Snyman & Van der Vyver. 'We saw it as an opportunity to support something that genuinely celebrates a golfing achievement — while showcasing a product designed specifically for moments like these. 'A Hole‑in‑One Club and Hole‑in‑One insurance are two sides of the same coin,” says Faul. 'One rewards the achievement. The other makes it possible to reward it properly.'

According to the stats, the chances of the amateur golfer getting a hole-in-one is 1 in 12 500. The odds on a professional doing the same is 2 500 to 1. However, the reality is that when you tee it up on a 'short' hole, you have a chance.

They call it the perfect fluke, but that's because it doesn't discriminate. Your ball ending up in the hole is the only thing that counts, whether by fluke or just a brilliant shot.

Why did this opportunity resonate with you?
Because it's authentic. A Hole‑in‑One isn't luck alone – it's skill, precision and composure. That mirrors what good risk planning is about. We're delighted to support an initiative that honours real achievement rather than chance.

Why was SVDV willing to sponsor a R50 000 cash prize?
Because our Hole‑in‑One insurance product exists for exactly this purpose. It enables meaningful prizes without risk. When The Golf Mag approached us, it felt natural for us to back it properly.

For readers unfamiliar with Hole‑in‑One insurance, how does it work in practice?
It's very straightforward: A specific par three hole is insured on a formal golf day. The tee position and distance are agreed in advance. Play follows the R&A Rules of Golf. Independent witnesses are required. If a hole‑in‑one is made, the insurer pays the prize. For the golfer, nothing changes. The excitement stays exactly where it should be — on the tee.

Why is this concept such a good fit for golf days and competitions?
Because it elevates the experience. A hole‑in‑one prize creates anticipation, attracts participation and becomes the highlight of the day — without burdening organisers with financial risk. That's why this works so well.

COLIN BRYDEN | DE ZALZE GOLF CLUB | CARL FOURIE | SUNSHINE TOUR