Whatever happened to?... Andre Cruse

Whatever happened to?... Andre Cruse

Andre’s passion and love for golf has pervaded every aspect of his life. With world-wide achievements, including 19 tournament wins and 131 top ten finishes, Andre is a consummate tour professional.

However, it was not an easy start for Andre. At the age of three it was discovered that he had just two percent vision in his left eye and medical opinion at the time indicated that he would be unable to play golf because of a lack of three-dimensional vision.

It was not an easy start for Andre. At the age of three it was discovered that he had just two percent vision in his left eye

Yet with sheer determination, Andre went on to win 13 amateur tournaments and represented South Africa in 1983. The captain of three national and provincial teams (Western Transvaal, Northern Transvaal & South African Eagles), his passion to become a tour professional was evident.

These amateur achievements secured him a golf scholarship in 1984 to the United States International University (USIU) in San Diego in pursuit of a marketing degree. After successfully completing his first year at USIU, he was awarded most valued golf player status by the university for outstanding accomplishments and involvement in golf. By mid-1985, his ambition to complete his marketing degree was exceeded by his readiness to turn professional in South Africa.

Andre has been a tour professional since the 1986/1987 season with playing privileges in South Africa (to date and currently part of the Sunshine Seniors Tour), Asia (1994 –1999) and Europe (2005).

Andre has presented multiple television golf shows in South Africa and provided numerous golf tournament commentary, including the Nedbank Million Dollar Golf events at Sun City and the prestigious 2003 President’s Cup at Fancourt.

He has also ventured into golf course design, teaming up with Tyrone Yates (who co-designed Millvale with Gary Player) to form Cruse & Yates Golf Designs

During 2007, he served as a Sunshine Tour Board Member, in addition to being a Sunshine Tour Players Committee Member. Between 2011 and 2014, SA Golf Trader had the pleasure of having Andre as a golf columnist and his “Kuier saam met Cruse” article was hugely popular.

These days Andre is still playing golf on the Sunshine Seniors Tour, he had his fourth win in July at the Glendower Classic with scores of 69 & 64. He has also ventured into golf course design, teaming up with Tyrone Yates (who co-designed Millvale with Gary Player) to form Cruse & Yates Golf Designs.

You will battle to find a better ambassador for the game of golf than Andre Cruse. His enthusiasm has never waned and his desire to constantly improve himself and those around him is a source of inspiration.