Derek James, the Teacher of the Year, has spent 11 years at Southbroom GC on the KZN South Coast. The first PGA Professional to win both the Club Pro of the year (2001) and teacher awards, he is a former Springbok and SA Strokeplay champion and won eight times on the Sunshine Winter Tour.
Renowned for a superb short game, and teaching that aspect of the game to pupils, the highlight of his playing career was winning the Canadian TPC in 1994 and finishing second to Ernie Els in the 1992 SA Open at Houghton.
James now juggles the roles of golf director, club professional and teaching pro at Southbroom and serves on the PGA Board. “I’m flat out teaching these days,” he says. “I have a problem saying no, so find myself coaching five to six hours a day.” James helps the KZN Junior team prepare every year for the IPT and guided them to a hat-trick of wins between 2004 and 2006.
Golf Digest April 2008
