From Small Town to PGA Pro with Pierre
Where It All Began
Hillshaven is a small community on the West Rand of South Africa where we grew up — a place people may have driven past, but rarely stopped to explore. There were no landmarks, no postcard moments, no obvious reason to pull over and take photos. And yet, this unassuming town has produced some remarkably motivated and inspiring people.
Although he spent part of his early years in Barberton, Pierre van Vuuren is one of the people I remember from growing up in Hillshaven. It was a place defined by simplicity: one school, one shop, a petrol station, and a community where many residents worked for the same employer.
Some people grew up eager to leave. Others loved the close-knit feel of the area and surrounding areas and chose to make it their forever home. Whilst the place and the people have changed and might be a far cry from what we remember it to be, or how we experienced it, the fact remains that it holds a chapter or two in our story.
Shared Roots and Lasting Memories
I find myself fascinated by the stories of how opportunity found its way to people from this small town — how the second half of our lives unfolded and shaped the children I once walked the halls with, or, as Pierre put it so simply, “shared a sandwich with.”
No matter where we ended up individually, there seems to be a shared fondness for our childhood — memories we carry like a treasured time capsule, revisited every now and then.
The Foundation: School, Sport, and Community
Pierre not only shared those memories and friendships with me, but also reminded me of the excellent education and sports coaching we received. We reminisced about rugby leagues won and how most kids participated in just about everything they could. Teachers who impacted us greatly and friends we miss.
At the time, it felt like just another ordinary school day. In hindsight, those experiences formed part of the foundation that shaped his future and helped him discover a lifelong love for sport.
PHOTO: Pierre Van Vuuren and Mr. Willy Potgieter our Headmaster, math teacher and sports coach from Laerskool Modderfontein, the elementary school we attended together.
Discovering a Passion for Sport
From a young age, Pierre knew his future would somehow involve sport. He loved rugby, cricket, athletics — and golf.
Golf?
How does one even get into golf when you grow up in Hillshaven?
Pierre explained that he started playing with his cousins and would “chip away” at the game every day after school. Despite the lack of golf courses or coaches in our immediate community, his family supported what he affectionately calls his “obsession.” They bought him clubs and encouraged him to pursue his passion, eventually leading him to study at the Golf Academy of Pretoria.
Understanding the World of Professional Golf
During our conversation, I learned the important distinction between a professional golfer — someone who plays the game competitively for a living — and a golf professional — someone with expertise in the business and operations side of the sport.
Pierre has experienced both worlds. He competed as a PGA player and now holds the role of General Manager at The Club at Steyn City. His experience includes humble beginnings as shop assistant and evolved into other areas like coaching, training and more. He speaks highly of mentors from his time working at RetailTribe that helped define his future vision for his career and campaigns he was involved in.
Pierre's current oversight include areas like Food and beverage, Marketing, Budgeting, Events and Management as part of his role. He collaborates with various people from CA's to Property Developers and more.
A Journey of Growth and Experience
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Pierre share his journey — working overseas in the United States for three years, returning to South Africa, and intentionally working his way through various roles in the industry.
He spoke candidly about “trying” different paths, gaining experience, and growing along the way. What stood out most was his humility in reflecting on how he matured from an impatient young man into someone who has learned to trust the process and allow things to unfold in their own time.
Character, Integrity, and Leadership
Pierre shared a simple but powerful habit: he carries a notebook with him as he walks the property, recording the questions he’s asked and the commitments he makes.
His yes is his yes, and his no is his no.
He holds himself accountable and works hard to keep his word.
It’s clear that Pierre holds himself to a high standard — not only as a professional, but also as a husband and father. He is deeply committed to his family and faces the same balancing act many parents do: juggling work, family, and personal growth while maintaining excellence in his career.
On top of that, he continues to maintain his PGA Pro status by playing tournaments — something he still loves, even as he acknowledges the trade-offs in how and where time is spent.
He has a supportive wife whom he adores and two little ones he cherishes.
Faith, Gratitude, and Perspective
Pierre mentioned that he feels incredibly blessed and could never have imagined that his love for golf would lead him to where he is today.
He has learned that God opens the doors that need to be opened and closes the ones that need to be closed.
Life as a Round of Golf
After our conversation, I began to see life much like a round of golf.
Once you start, you have to finish the round.
Life doesn’t always unfold the way you expect. You may choose your outfit and prepare as well as you can, but the elements remain out of your control. Sometimes the sun is relentless; other times the wind reminds you that you’re not in charge.
You can only focus on the next shot.
Losing your composure on the course — or in life — accomplishes nothing other than making you look foolish. Sometimes the green is lush. Sometimes you land in the sand. Sometimes others seem luckier despite all the effort you’ve put in.
But quitting is never an option.
The Final Hole
One day, we will all reach the 18th hole — some sooner than others. We are all destined for that final swing. The real question is not whether you won or lost, but who you were along the way.
“Success in this game depends less on strength of body than strength of mind and character.”
— Arnold Palmer“Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening…" — Arnold Palmer
I would agree with Palmer that life can be described in the same way!
PHOTO: Pierre Van Vuuren (on the far right next to the South African Flag) as Team Captain for the Four Nations against New Zealand, Australia and Canada
CLICK TO WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW
