Andrew Gunn

So The Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club is maybe not a stone’s throw from your suburb, but the man who runs the golf there, has deep roots in Observatory: Andrew Gunn was born and bred here – and still lives in his childhood home.

“That house in Park Street has been my home for 41 years – and I’m now the proud owner: I bought it from my parents in 2001.”

It was also the year he became Golf Director at Royal; “a job that keeps me running, because I’m responsible for the golfing side of the club.” But this pro is not too busy to still write, produce, print and distribute your monthly copy of The Oration.

“I’m a frustrated writer – maybe because of my teaching background.” After his studies at Ikeys – “my wild years filled with teargas and purple spray” – Andrew was an English teacher for a year at King Edward School. “But I wasn’t cut out for the classroom…”

That’s when he turned professional. “Because we lived on the Observatory golf course, I’ve been playing golf since I was 5 years old and thought turning pro would be easy. All you have to do is practice a little more.” He joined the circuit in 1990 and for the next four years played all over South Africa. With his scratch handicap – “it’s 4 nowadays because I just don’t get around to playing anymore” – Andrew played with the likes of Retief Goosen.

“But it was tough: you have a lot of expenses like traveling and hotels.” To keep the grocery cupboard full, he joined the PGA South Africa at Huddlepark as their “secretary-general” - “I had no title and was a real Jack of all trades” – and completed his pro apprenticeship over the next four years.

A year as golfing teacher in Germany followed and in 2001, a year after the Royal Johannesburg amalgamated with Kensington, Andrew finally settled down.

His pride in the Royal is obvious as he talks about the club’s history. It started as the Johannesburg Golf Club in 1889 near Wemmerpan, then moved to Rissik Street, but as the city grew, it had to move again to Claredon circle, near The Wilds.

“In 1910 The Johannesburg Club finally moved to its current location and the first buildings were built near the Linksfield clinic and on the current site in the thirties. Around then King George came to visit – and the ‘Royal’ prefix was added.”

But although the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club is steeped in history, it offers its more than 2 600 members two world class golf courses; a pro shop run by resident club professional Alan Henning, a driving range with the latest teaching technology, a modern clubhouse and friendly service.

All this comes at no little cost. “The Royal Johannesburg was running at a loss, as was Kensington, but the profits are rolling in since the two clubs joined,” says Andrew.
It shows in the impeccable grounds. And the inviting greens.

“If only I can find time to play more than my usual once a month…”

Posted on 26 September 2005 by Carine Hartman