Johndre Ludick
The GolfRSA National Squad member shares his journey towards being a top golfer and person
inside the ropes
Johndre Ludick fell in love with golf before he took his first step, and by the age of three, the Eastern Province native was running around on the fairways at Graaf-Reinet Golf Club waiting impatiently for his dad and his friends to finish nine holes. As soon as they sat down at the halfway house, the young Ludick would grab a club from his father’s bag and start “practising” his own swing.
“My dad ignited my love for the game,” Ludick explains. “When I was really young he would take me to the course and I couldn’t wait to get a club and practice. I loved being out there with him and his friends. Eventually, he got me my own set of clubs and started to teach me, and I knew it was all I would ever want to do.”
Ludick quickly proved himself a talent, but with the golf club a three-hour drive from his home, getting course time proved challenging and frustrating. “When the members at Graaff-Reinet started to realise how serious I was about my golf, they would fetch and take me along, and that still happens today. My dad’s brother, Uncle Patrick, also regularly takes me golfing. I am so grateful for the community’s support. Every moment I’m able to go to the golf course is precious and I must make it count.”
Ludick came on to the South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) radar when he started to compete in the Eastern Province Golf Union junior tournaments and was enrolled in the programme at the age of 12. “The SAGDB has had a major impact on my career in the past five years. Not only have they helped me financially to compete in the local events, but they also sent me to play in the national junior events where I gained experience to improve.”
Even with a limited playing schedule, the Eastern Province teenager rocketed up the GolfRSA U-15 and U-17 rankings and his commitment, progress and achievements were recognised and rewarded when he was inducted into the GolfRSA National Squad in 2022.
After three top-20 finishes earlier in the season, Ludick had a runner-up finish in the Nomads SA Boys U-17 Championship at Port Elizabeth Golf Club and a fifth-place finish in brutal conditions in the Nomads National Order of Merit Coastal event at St Francis Links in June. These results motivated the Eastern Province teenager to set himself serious goals for the rest of the season.
“My first goal this season was to break into the top 10 on the U-17 rankings, so I am proud that I’ve climbed to seventh in the rankings. I’d like to break into the top five before the end of the season. I am also 24th in the U-19 rankings and I’d like to break into the top 20.
“My other big goal is to make to the cut in the Reply Italian International U-16 Championship. I played last year, and it was my first international event. I just missed the cut, and I hope to use everything I learned last year to improve this time.
“I also want to improve on my academic results. They’re not bad, but I think I can do better. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my principal and teachers at Hoër Volkskool. They have been amazing in giving me the time off to compete in the national events and to go to Italy again. It would mean a lot to me to finish the year with a good report card.”
We caught up with the 16-year-old before his trip to Italy where he will be teeing it up with the cream of international junior golf at Golf Club Biella...
First of all, congratulations on your selection to the GolfRSA National Squad last year. What did this achievement mean to you and how has it impacted your career?
It meant the world because it showed me that all my hard work was recognised. I am really proud of this achievement, and it has motivated me to work even harder than before.
You attended your first squad camp earlier this year. What did you enjoy the most about the camp?
It was an amazing learning experience. Not only learning many elements of golf, but also discovering new things about myself, meeting new people and making friends. I have learned a lot about fitness, training, diet and the mental side of the game from our coaches. This is stuff I never really thought about before I joined the squad. The support we receive and the access we have to incredible people is amazing.
You achieved some great results in 2022 and have built on that in 2023. What would you say was key to the improvement?
I would say my putting and mental state helped me a lot. I had a lot more fun on the golf course and just enjoyed the game, I also made a lot of puts.
These days, golfers need to have a solid team around them. Who do you work with?
My dad is my swing coach, and my biggest supporter. No sacrifice is too big for him. I get further support from GolfRSA, the SAGDB and Eastern Province Golf Union. Having access to Gavin Groves, our squad fitness specialist, and Theo Bezuidenhout, our sport psychologist, has been great, too. They help you on levels you haven’t been exposed to.
What are the strengths of your game and is there anything specific you want to work on to improve?
My strength is my short game and putting. I would say it saves me a lot in my rounds because I think my iron play needs a lot of work.
You have played a number of great courses on the GolfRSA national circuit in the past two years. Do you have a favourite and why?
Yes, my favourite has to be the Nedbank Junior Challenge at Sun City. The Gary Player Country Club is always challenging and it’s the one I want to conquer. I love that course.
What is the best advice you’ve received?
My sister once told me to follow my dreams and not to think or care about what others are going to say, and I have made this my motto.
What is your go-to club and why?
My driver. I am pretty straight off the tee and when I hit a lot of fairways, I always score well.
How do you deal with pressure during a tournament round?
I always try to stay in the moment. I don’t allow my emotions to get the better of me.
What other activities do you enjoy doing outside golf?
I love playing soccer with my friends and spending time with friends and family.
Credit: GolfRSA / Ernest Blignault
Johndre Ludick fell in love with golf before he took his first step, and by the age of three, the Eastern Province native was running around on the fairways at Graaf-Reinet Golf Club waiting impatiently for his dad and his friends to finish nine holes. As soon as they sat down at the halfway house, the young Ludick would grab a club from his father’s bag and start “practising” his own swing.
“My dad ignited my love for the game,” Ludick explains. “When I was really young he would take me to the course and I couldn’t wait to get a club and practice. I loved being out there with him and his friends. Eventually, he got me my own set of clubs and started to teach me, and I knew it was all I would ever want to do.”
Ludick quickly proved himself a talent, but with the golf club a three-hour drive from his home, getting course time proved challenging and frustrating. “When the members at Graaff-Reinet started to realise how serious I was about my golf, they would fetch and take me along, and that still happens today. My dad’s brother, Uncle Patrick, also regularly takes me golfing. I am so grateful for the community’s support. Every moment I’m able to go to the golf course is precious and I must make it count.”
Ludick came on to the South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) radar when he started to compete in the Eastern Province Golf Union junior tournaments and was enrolled in the programme at the age of 12. “The SAGDB has had a major impact on my career in the past five years. Not only have they helped me financially to compete in the local events, but they also sent me to play in the national junior events where I gained experience to improve.”
Even with a limited playing schedule, the Eastern Province teenager rocketed up the GolfRSA U-15 and U-17 rankings and his commitment, progress and achievements were recognised and rewarded when he was inducted into the GolfRSA National Squad in 2022.
After three top-20 finishes earlier in the season, Ludick had a runner-up finish in the Nomads SA Boys U-17 Championship at Port Elizabeth Golf Club and a fifth-place finish in brutal conditions in the Nomads National Order of Merit Coastal event at St Francis Links in June. These results motivated the Eastern Province teenager to set himself serious goals for the rest of the season.
“My first goal this season was to break into the top 10 on the U-17 rankings, so I am proud that I’ve climbed to seventh in the rankings. I’d like to break into the top five before the end of the season. I am also 24th in the U-19 rankings and I’d like to break into the top 20.
“My other big goal is to make to the cut in the Reply Italian International U-16 Championship. I played last year, and it was my first international event. I just missed the cut, and I hope to use everything I learned last year to improve this time.
“I also want to improve on my academic results. They’re not bad, but I think I can do better. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my principal and teachers at Hoër Volkskool. They have been amazing in giving me the time off to compete in the national events and to go to Italy again. It would mean a lot to me to finish the year with a good report card.”
We caught up with the 16-year-old before his trip to Italy where he will be teeing it up with the cream of international junior golf at Golf Club Biella...
First of all, congratulations on your selection to the GolfRSA National Squad last year. What did this achievement mean to you and how has it impacted your career?
It meant the world because it showed me that all my hard work was recognised. I am really proud of this achievement, and it has motivated me to work even harder than before.
You attended your first squad camp earlier this year. What did you enjoy the most about the camp?
It was an amazing learning experience. Not only learning many elements of golf, but also discovering new things about myself, meeting new people and making friends. I have learned a lot about fitness, training, diet and the mental side of the game from our coaches. This is stuff I never really thought about before I joined the squad. The support we receive and the access we have to incredible people is amazing.
You achieved some great results in 2022 and have built on that in 2023. What would you say was key to the improvement?
I would say my putting and mental state helped me a lot. I had a lot more fun on the golf course and just enjoyed the game, I also made a lot of puts.
These days, golfers need to have a solid team around them. Who do you work with?
My dad is my swing coach, and my biggest supporter. No sacrifice is too big for him. I get further support from GolfRSA, the SAGDB and Eastern Province Golf Union. Having access to Gavin Groves, our squad fitness specialist, and Theo Bezuidenhout, our sport psycologist, has been great, too. They help you on levels you haven’t been exposed to.
What are the strengths of your game and is there anything specific you want to work on to improve?
My strength is my short game and putting. I would say it saves me a lot in my rounds because I think my iron play needs a lot of work.
You have played a number of great courses on the GolfRSA national circuit in the past two years. Do you have a favourite and why?
Yes, my favourite has to be the Nedbank Junior Challenge at Sun City. The Gary Player Country Club is always challenging and it’s the one I want to conquer. I love that course.
What is the best advice you’ve received?
My sister once told me to follow my dreams and not to think or care about what others are going to say, and I have made this my motto.
What is your go-to club and why?
My driver. I am pretty straight off the tee and when I hit a lot of fairways, I always score well.
How do you deal with pressure during a tournament round?
I always try to stay in the moment. I don’t allow my emotions to get the better of me.
What other activities do you enjoy doing outside golf?
I love playing soccer with my friends and spending time with friends and family.
We caught up with the 16-year-old before his trip to Italy where he will be teeing it up with the cream of international junior golf at Golf Club Biella...
First of all, congratulations on your selection to the GolfRSA National Squad last year. What did this achievement mean to you and how has it impacted your career?
It meant the world because it showed me that all my hard work was recognised. I am really proud of this achievement, and it has motivated me to work even harder than before.
You attended your first squad camp earlier this year. What did you enjoy the most about the camp?
It was an amazing learning experience. Not only learning many elements of golf, but also discovering new things about myself, meeting new people and making friends. I have learned a lot about fitness, training, diet and the mental side of the game from our coaches. This is stuff I never really thought about before I joined the squad. The support we receive and the access we have to incredible people is amazing.
You achieved some great results in 2022 and have built on that in 2023. What would you say was key to the improvement?
I would say my putting and mental state helped me a lot. I had a lot more fun on the golf course and just enjoyed the game, I also made a lot of puts.
These days, golfers need to have a solid team around them. Who do you work with?
My dad is my swing coach, and my biggest supporter. No sacrifice is too big for him. I get further support from GolfRSA, the SAGDB and Eastern Province Golf Union. Having access to Gavin Groves, our squad fitness specialist, and Theo Bezuidenhout, our sport psycologist, has been great, too. They help you on levels you haven’t been exposed to.
What are the strengths of your game and is there anything specific you want to work on to improve?
My strength is my short game and putting. I would say it saves me a lot in my rounds because I think my iron play needs a lot of work.
You have played a number of great courses on the GolfRSA national circuit in the past two years. Do you have a favourite and why?
Yes, my favourite has to be the Nedbank Junior Challenge at Sun City. The Gary Player Country Club is always challenging and it’s the one I want to conquer. I love that course.
What is the best advice you’ve received?
My sister once told me to follow my dreams and not to think or care about what others are going to say, and I have made this my motto.
What is your go-to club and why?
My driver. I am pretty straight off the tee and when I hit a lot of fairways, I always score well.
How do you deal with pressure during a tournament round?
I always try to stay in the moment. I don’t allow my emotions to get the better of me.
What other activities do you enjoy doing outside golf?
I love playing soccer with my friends and spending time with friends and family.
Credit: GOLFRSA