On Wednesday evening the legendary Dale Hayes was honoured by having his name added to a distinct group of South African Heroes already in the South African Sports Hall of Fame in the Pilanesberg at Sun City.
Hayes began making his mark in the world of golf in his teens when he competed in the 1969 Junior World Golf Championships. He went on to play – and win – the Swiss, Italian, French and Spanish Open during the European tours in the late 1970s. Hayes won the South African PGA Championship Tour in 1974, 1975 and 1976.
Dale was born on the 1st of July 1952 in Pretoria, South Africa
His professional career included the following highlights:
- Golf broadcaster SuperSport, Golf Channel
- Former editor Compleat Golfer
- 2010 Recipient first Master Class S.A Golf Professional Award
- He’s in a Course design partnership with Peter Matkovitch
Dale and his family own and manage the Zwartkop Country Club in Pretoria.
He won 4 International Amateur tournaments:
- World Junior Championship (Boys 15-17) 1969
- South African Amateur Stroke Play Championship 1969
- German Amateur Championship 1969
- Brazilian Amateur Championship 1969
Dale racked up no less than 21 Professional wins whereunder 4 on the European Tour, 14 on the South African Tour.
His 4 times European Tour Wins:
- European Order Merit winner 1975
- Swiss Open 1975
- Italian Open 1978
- French Open 1978
- Spanish Open 1979
His 14 South African Tour Wins:
- South African Tour Order of Merit 2nd 1974, 95, 96, 99
- Rhodesian Masters 1973
- PGA Championship 1974, 1975, 1976
- South African Open 1976
- South African Masters 1978
He won 5 International Wins in other parts of the World
- Spanish Open 1971
- World Cup 1976 (with Bobby Cole)
- Columbian Open 1980
The honour bestowed on this always friendly giant of a man when you run into him at Zwartkops or the Supersport studios is truly well deserved.
Congrats Uncle Dale!
Story by: JAY J BOTES Groot Fm90.5 #GROOTfmSport
Images by: Christiaan Kotze (SASPA)
Source: South African Golf Hall of Fame