Rising Star

From behind her sunglasses, Casandra Alexander has a laser-like focus in terms of her career as one of the rising stars of South African women’s professional golf, and the discipline to make it a reality.

The 24-year-old has just come through a Sunshine Ladies Tour season where she won the ABSA Ladies Invitational for the fifth title of her professional career. It was a win that came only a few months after she underwent ankle surgery and changed coaches. So while it was something to celebrate in that sense, Alexander’s desire to be even better sees her take a different view.

“I started the year a bit on the back foot coming from ankle surgery in December and then changing coaches and having two weeks to prep for the first Ladies European Tour event in Saudi Arabia and then in Morocco. So it felt like I was on the back foot at the beginning of the year and now I’ve finally caught up. I didn’t have the best Sunshine Ladies Tour season. I won once, but the rest were pretty average results. But I’ll take it considering everything,” she says.

CHIP SHOTS

Digging deeper with Alexander.

CHIP SHOTS

Digging deeper with Alexander.

Your husband is a professional bodybuilder. How does having a competitive athlete as a husband help both of you in your careers?
“It means we live the same lifestyle. Training and eating well is normal for us. The biggest thing, though, is the support we give each other. It’s really hard to find a man who will follow your dreams and believe in them as much as you do. I’m blessed to have him and I think we’re the ultimate dream team. I think he’s going to be just as successful in his sport and we’ll be right beside each other as we do that. He’s my biggest supporter and motivator. It just works.”

When it comes to golf, what do you feel it offers women more than other sports?
“Golf offers you a lot more than what other sports can. It teaches you discipline without you even realising it’s doing that. There are so many life lessons I’ve learned from the sport, and where I didn’t have to go through other things in my life in order to learn that lesson. They’re qualities we as people need to learn to master, and golf really tests that. A comment I often get is, ‘Wow I can’t believe you’re 24. You’re so mature.’ But that’s what this game does to you. It makes you professional in a lot of aspects of your life, especially in business. A leading businessman once asked me if I’d studied and I said no but that golf had taught me so much more than studying ever would have. That’s a big part of what women can take from the game.”

The drive to succeed has always been a hallmark of Alexander’s golf, from her amateur days that culminated in her winning the 2018 South African Stroke Play Championship, to turning professional that same year and winning her maiden Sunshine Ladies Tour title only two years thereafter.

Since then she’s developed a remarkable consistency that’s seen her finish within the top 10 on the Sunshine Ladies Tour’s Investec Order of Merit every year since 2019, including finishing second twice.

“I think the biggest growth in my game has been becoming more consistent with everything. In the past my weaknesses were real weaknesses. Now I’m focused on neutralising those weaknesses to where they’re not so much of a problem. That’s been the biggest growth area this year.

“Over the past few years I’ve just worked on being consistent in all areas, whether it’s in the gym, diet, on the golf course or working with my coaches. My biggest growth has been consistency is all these areas and that’s why I’ve had good results. I train hard. I diet well. I do everything that’s needed to be an athlete and not just a golfer. And that’s helped me with my golf.”

CATCH-UP WITH CAS

The South African revelled in playing on home soil again.

watch now!

I do everything that’s needed to be an athlete and not just a golfer. And that’s helped me with my golf

It's set the platform for her next big target – the LPGA Tour Qualifying School at the end of this year.

“It’s a big goal of mine. I’m trying to break into the top 10 on the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit because that will get me into the Final Stage of the LPGA Tour Qualifying School.”

And yet she’s also determined not to lose focus on why she plays golf, and what she feels constitutes a successful season beyond just results inside the ropes.

“I’m also working towards finishing the year feeling like I’ve done everything I could and calling it a successful season. In the sense of finishing it off really happy and content with what I’ve done. I think it’s easy to get caught up in the results and then you’re not enjoying yourself.

“At the end of the year you’re just ready to go for the next year because you didn’t get what you wanted. I think it’s important for me to finish this year off happy, whether that’s doing well or not. That’s my focus.”

HIGHLIGHTS PACKAGE

Catch Alexander’s winning shots from the final round of the ABSA Ladies Invitational.

watch now!

I do everything that’s needed to be an athlete and not just a golfer. And that’s helped me with my golf

GOING INTERNATIONAL

A word from overseas players who’ve enjoyed the Sunshine Ladies Tour.

GOING INTERNATIONAL

Bronte Law

What made you decide to play at the Investec SA Women’s Open?
“My plan was always to come to South Africa. We had a busy time of the year coming up so I decided to just come for the one week. I’d never been before so I definitely wanted to take the opportunity. I really enjoyed it. It’s a beautiful place. It’s always nice to play at national Opens around the world and now I can tick this one off the list.”

What do you feel the Sunshine Ladies Tour brings to the game?
“I’ve known many of the South African golfers and have played quite a bit with Ashleigh [Buhai]. I saw a lot of young South Africans on the Tour in the country and that’s great. It’s good for the game.”

What was it like playing in South Africa?
“I felt it would do me good with a busy stretch ahead with a lot of international travel and the US Women’s Open qualifier coming up. Erinvale was a fantastic golf course. It was in great condition and it’s got incredible views on the back nine. I definitely liked the style of the course and enjoyed playing it.”

Tvesa Malik

Why do you consistently support the Sunshine Ladies Tour and how does it benefit your career?
“It’s been a pleasure to play on the Sunshine Ladies Tour this season. This is the first time I’ve come out and played the entire season here and I think we play on great golf courses and have some good competition each week. So it’s quite nice to come out here and start the season. My win at Sun City was really memorable.”

What’s it like playing golf in South Africa compared with other countries?
“The weather is always great, although conditions can be a challenge, especially when we get to Cape Town. The quality of the golf courses we have played has been great. I’ve really enjoyed the challenge.”

What was the highlight of your trip?
“The win at Sun City was a huge highlight for me. Apart from that, I think the time I’ve spent with my friends from the Tour has been great. We have eaten some great food and done a little bit of sightseeing and we’ve really enjoyed South Africa.”