Goose named Golfer of the Year
Brad Morgan
16 February 2004
Retief Goosen was named the Golfer of the Year at The Compleat Golfer Annual Awards Dinner in Midrand, Johannesburg. The honour was just reward for Goosen, who finished 2004 at a career high fourth in the world rankings.
His year included a second major title, with his victory in the US Open at Shinnecock Hills, and three others wins over quality fields: in the Nedbank Challenge at Sun City, the European Open, and the US PGA's Tour Championship.
Lifting his game
His victories exhibited, once again, his ability to lift his game when the going is at its toughest. His putting in the final round of the US Open, in which he one-putted an amazing 12 times, is regarded by many as one of greatest displays of clutch putting in history.
Goosen's brother accepted the award on his behalf. He read out an acceptance speech on behalf of the man known as The Goose, in which he thanked South Africa's world number three,
Ernie Els, for his support in his final round during which they were playing partners.
The late Bobby Locke was the recipient of the Contribution to Golf Award. Well-known commentator Dennis Hutchinson, accepting the trophy on Locke's behalf, said he had "put South Africa on the map".
Locke's remarkable career
Locke's career was indeed remarkable. He won the British Open four times and the South African Open nine times in nine attempts. When he took on the great American Sam Snead in a series of exhibitions, he thrashed him 12 matches to two; Snead owns the US PGA Tour record with 81 career victories.
Darren Fichardt was rewarded for topping the 2003/2004 Sunshine Tour's Order of Merit, while Sweden's Johan Edfors became the first ever foreign winner of the tour's Rookie of the Year Award.
Former Southern Africa PGA Tour chief executive Denis Bruyns was given the award for Best Contribution to the Golf Industry in recognition of
his tireless work in growing the game.
Honorary membership
Supersport golf presenter and one of the evening's presenters, Dale Hayes, was presented with the first ever Honorary Membership of the South African Junior Golf Foundation. Many people forget that Hayes won the World Cup of Golf for South Africa in Venezuela in 1974 when he teamed up with Bobby Cole.
Matthew Kent was named the Men's Amateur of the Year, while Ashleigh Simon, who recently represented South Africa in the Women's World Cup of Golf at Fancourt, was named the Women's Amateur of the Year.
Louis Moolman picked up the award for Junior Golfer of the Year.
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