SA Golf Trader / Know your PGA Pro - Hilton Anderson

Hilton Anderson - Golf Director - Prince’s Grant Golf Estate

1. When did you qualify as a PGA Professional?

I turned pro early in 1979 and qualified June 1980.

2. What made you choose this career?

I was always a keen golfer and my late father was in golf administration so my life revolved around golf.

3. Has it always been golf for you?

It started out that way but in the early 1990`s I started cycling and really enjoyed it, so if I wasn't on the golf course, I was on my bicycle competing in a number of cycle races.

4. Did you ever play or did you ever want to play on tour?

When I turned pro I played on our local Sunshine Tour.

5. You have been in the industry for a long time, who has been your biggest mentor?

David Black, he was the resident pro at Houghton Golf Club at the time and really helped young professionals in their careers. On the playing side it is really hard to say as I played with the countries best players at the time.

6. You’ve recently taken over at Prince’s Grant, what have been your biggest challenges?

There have not been many, but an ongoing challenge is to give members and visitors alike their best golfing experience as Prince’s Grant has a motto “This is how life should be lived”

7. You have recently redone your greens and they look superb, however this is a costly exercise, what necessitated this?

Golf greens really only have a certain life span and if you want a quality golf course you need to redo your greens regularly, Prince’s Grant recently celebrated 25 years so it was time to upgrade.

8. Describe a typical workday for you at the club?

Typical day in the pro-shop starts with printing the time sheets, checking that everything is in place for any golfing groups coming to play, getting our golf carts ready. When the golfers arrive the golf day begins and we make sure the golfers have the best golf experience.

9. With the golf courses open now, were there any lessons learned from the lockdown and if so, are you are doing anything differently?

We certainly learnt how important golf rounds are to the success of the club and we will strive to look after the members, visitors and golf groups to give everyone a golfing experience that is expected when coming to play at Prince’s Grant.

10. How is the golfing public, members and your staff responding to the new rules and regulations?

I think we are all very aware of the seriousness of this pandemic and everyone adheres to the rules and regulations - I do believe we are doing our best to keep the virus off our golf course.

11. With consumers already being careful on how they spend their money these days (pre covid 19), what is your plan to attract people to the club now that we are on level 1 of the lockdown?

I believe we attract players and groups to return to Prince’s Grant by offering them a great golf course, golf experience, fantastic views of the ocean and inland and the friendly atmosphere.

12. Slow play is one of the biggest problems in golf today, how do you manage slow play at Prince’s Grant?

Slow play is a major issue, so going out on the golf course especially on competition days really is the answer to keep the players playing at the right pace.

13. The members of a golf club always come first. Do you agree with the phrase “The member is always right”?

Members always come first because without them we do not have a club. If the member is not right we engage with them to resolve any issues amicably.

14. Does your position require you to be available on weekends, evenings, and holidays, and if so, does this place demands on your personal life?

Weekends and holidays I do work but I’m not expected to work evenings. My wife and family have always supported me when it comes to my career.

15. What are your short & long term goals?

Short term goals are to continue improving our golf department and long term is to make Prince’s Grant Golf Club the No 1 golf course and club in the country.

16. Covid 19 aside, what is your opinion on the state of golf in South Africa?

Golf has really made a turnaround lately, before covid19 golf was not in a good place but now more and more people are starting to play golf again.

17. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Relaxing, catching up on my favourite TV programs.

18. Do you still get time to play?

I still play when my schedule and time allows it.