Why Do South Africans Win So Many Majors?

Why Do South Africans Win So Many Majors?

Hi, I’m Mel Sole, Director of Instruction at the Mel Sole Golf School, headquartered at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club in Pawleys Island, SC.  We conduct 1, 2 and 3-day golf schools, hourly golf lessons, and senior golf schools—any golf instruction program your heart desires. Give us a call at 800-624-4653 or 843-237-4993.  We will be happy to book a commuter school or a package that contains accommodations, golf, and golf school.

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Charl Schwartzel's victory at the 2011 Masters was the 24th Major win by South African golfers. This small country of only 47 million people contains just 1 percent of the world's 70 million golfers yet continues to produce many world-class competitors.

Bobby Locke won four British Opens from 1949 to 1957 and likely would have won major tournaments in the USA if he'd been allowed more access. Unfortunately, a big deterrent to Locke winning more in Europe was the advent of WWII, which interrupted him at the peak of his career.

With his first at Augusta in 1961, Gary Player won nine majors and inspired Americans to think of golf as a global sport.

In the '70s and '80s, several South Africans such as Bobby Cole and Harold Henning were a threat in the majors, such as the 1975 British Open where Tom Watson beat Bobby Cole at Muirfield.

But since 1992, when Nick Price won the PGA Championship and followed it with back-to-back wins at the British Open and the PGA Championship in '94, the South Africans have been on a tear! Ernie Els has won three majors and Retief Goosen two. Trevor Immelman, Louis Oosthuizen, and Charl Schwartzel have won a major in the last four years.

My five reasons for this amazing golf legacy.

1. South Africa is a stronger sporting nation than many. Children engage in sport daily at school, and most are involved in leagues outside of school, where parents and communities provide strong support and coaching. Dedication and determination to excel are the result of an environment that nurtures and pushes athletes to succeed.
2. Climate is also a factor. However, one can play and practice golf year-round in South Africa.
3. The quality of golf courses in South Africa is very high. This country has hosted many international golf championships. Competitive courses help produce competitive golfers.
4. The Ernie Els Fancourt Foundation and Johann Rupert's Golf Development Board have provided opportunities for talented golfers like Oosthuizen and Schwartzel to develop into golfers who can compete with the world's best. Without this support, farmers' sons like Schwartzel and Oosthuizen may not have the chance to reach their potential.
5. The European Tour. South African players don't just stay home and play their own Sunshine Tour. Instead, they sharpen their skills and gain invaluable experience by playing the very competitive European Tour. Case in point: Charl Schwartzel won six times on the European Tour before his recent Masters' win.

What do you think? All theories are welcome!

Interested in playing golf in South Africa? Join Mel & Rosemary Sole on a 5-Star South African Golf & Safari Vacation this fall! Find out more.»

Source: Mel Sole Golf School.

Thanks for reading - Why Do South Africans Win So Many Majors?  It is amazing, isn't it!

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