SCROLL DOWN
INSIDE THE ROPES
BEATING THE ODDS
Thabang Simon continues his love affair with golf after earning his Sunshine Tour card.
Michael Vlismas
In February 2004, Roger Wessels opened with a 63 to share the lead in the first round of the Telkom PGA Championship at Woodhill Golf Estate and announced that he would be retiring from competitive golf at the end of that season. That same day, a young black professional just five years into his career on the Sunshine Tour also signed for a 63 to share the lead.
The excitement then already around Thabang Simon was immense. That Thursday at Woodhill, his 63 was good enough to beat a few big names and future stars in the game. Business Day newspaper declared in its first-round report, “A new star was born in the first round of the Telkom PGA Championship at Woodhill Country Club”.
This year, the 48-year-old Simon won the Altron Vusi Ngubeni Tournament to reclaim his playing privileges on the Sunshine Tour in a professional career that has spanned 25 years. Amazingly, he has not won on the Sunshine Tour. Like any in the game, it’s been a career of highs and lows, personally and professionally.
But one thing has never changed.
“I’ve never thought of giving up golf. I’ve always believed that if things are not going my way, that’s just part of life. I just need to be strong and my time will come”
“I’ve never thought of giving up golf. I’ve always believed that if things are not going my way, that’s just part of life.I just need to be strong and my time will come. It’s something that has always motivated me,” says Simon
as he contemplates another season on the Sunshine Tour, and even a future in senior golf.
“It feels great to have my Sunshine Tour card again. I had to return to Qualifying School because a lack of funds meant I couldn’t play enough tournaments. I’ve had a few low points because of a lack of funds. That’s been the case my whole career. "
Growing up in Aliwal North as the son of an Afrikaans and Geography teacher at the Malcom X High School, Simon was a keen footballer and promising goalkeeper before a vicious tackle while making a save left him with two broken arms.
“After I broke my arms, I started golf thanks to my cousin, who played the game. I used to walk with him when he played. He loaned me two of his clubs and I started practising. It was a couple of weeks and I was hooked. That’s how I started.”
Gallery below
Simon was the regular caddie for Sunshine Tour professional Andrew McLardy with whom he built up a close friendship. But he then decided to try to make his professional dreams come true and had some stellar moments on the Sunshine Tour, including that joint course record 63 at the Telkom PGA Championship as well as a then course-record 61, including a hole-one-one, to lead the second round of the 2003 Seekers Travel Pro-Am at Dainfern Country Club.
“The best memories of my career have been any of the holes-in-one I’ve made during tournaments, and winning on the Altron Big Easy Tour. It was very special to win the Altron Vusi Ngubeni Tournament. I’m also very proud of my fourth-place finish at the 2000 Stanbic Zambia Open because my first round was bad but my last three rounds, I fought really hard.”
It’s that fighting spirit that is the hallmark of Simon’s game. Even at his lowest moments, when he would be waiting for R100 to be able to put petrol in his car to get to a tournament, or travel for two days by bus to a tournament in Zambia, Simon has never given up.
“I’ll find a way,” he says. “I’ll never give up. As long as I’m able to play this game, I’ll never give up.”
CHIP SHOTS
Get to know a bit more about Simon…
Which player has inspired you the most?
“Theo Manyama. His work rate, the way he explained the game to me, how far he took his own game – it all inspires me. He’s played a huge role in my career and life. He’s taught me so much outside golf too in terms of life.”
Favourite club in the bag?
“Lob-wedge.”
What’s the one thing you always do before teeing off at a tournament?
“I just try to relax. I might go and chip and putt and stretch, and then that’s it. Sometimes I don’t even hit balls before the round. I feel like tournaments are not the time to fix things. It’s the time to focus.”
Favourite tournament on the schedule?
“The Blue Label Challenge at Sun City, and the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek.”
What do you enjoy doing outside golf?
“To be honest, I’m always on the golf course. I wake up early and play nine or 18 holes at Kempton Park or Soweto Golf Club, and then spend the afternoon on the range. If I’m not playing, I’m at the World of Golf. I’ll often leave there only after they’ve closed at 10pm.”
Best tip you ever received, and from whom?
“It was from Ernie Els. I used to be one of worst from 60 metres in. He told me my weight is too much on the right side and I must transfer it forward. I was leaning back too much.”
TAKING THE TITLE
Simon’s hard-fought victory
at the Altron Vusi Ngubeni Tournament guaranteed him
and 11 others playing privileges in the 2024-25 season of the Sunshine Tour.
The Soweto Country Club player’s final-round 69 took his tournament total to 17 under, handing him a one-stoke victory over Thanda Mavundla.
“It was very tough, I’m telling you,” said Simon. “The guys wanted to win it too but I stayed focused and reminded myself that I know what’s my number.
I told myself I needed to get it
to 18 under and I’ll be OK, but
17 under is still fine with me.”
“I had a look at the entry list before we came here and some of these guys are really young. But what impressed me the most is the strength of this year’s Vusi field. The guys are really good, and the youngsters are exceptional too. It’s really good competition and I’m looking forward to the Sunshine Tour. We will then see from there if we can try the seniors.”
IMAGES: TYRONE WINFIELD/DEON VAN DER MERWE/CARL FOURIE/SUNSHINE TOUR