gsport was
surprised to learn that vice captain of the national women’s cricket team,
Johmari Logtenberg, had decided to quit cricket to take up golf. This star all-rounder,
who was chosen as our November 2006 gSTAR, excelled for KwaZulu Natal cricket
and the Proteas, but a trip to the Nedbank Golf Challenge convinced her that
her future lay in golf.
Johmari
first picked up a golf club in 2005 after South Africa’s disastrous showing
at the Women’s Cricket World Cup. She felt she just needed to get away from
cricket for a while and spent countless hours at the driving range, "just
hitting balls" to get over her frustration.
After
completing her matric last year, Johmari initially considered Chiropractic
studies, but has since joined Gavin Levinson’s Golf Academy
as a full time student. She is currently a 12 handicapper and her 1-2 year plan
is to get her handicap down to scratch. Unsurprisingly, Johmari’s role model is
Tiger Woods, who she says is "mentally and physically very strong".
This
talented sports woman turns 19 on 22 February, and will get her first taste of
playing in a golf tournament when she takes part in the Eastern Cape Ladies
Golf Championship from 10-14 February at the Port Elizabeth Golf Club where she
will come up against some of the South Africa’s leading female
golfers.
She spoke to
gsport about why she decided to quit cricket, her experience of being a full
time golf student, and her aspirations are for her golf career.
Johmari, what a big decision! What prompted you to
retire from cricket?
I always
found golf very interesting, but because of cricket being a whole year thing, I
could never really give golf a go. After my finals, I wanted to go on a special
matric vacation, so my father organised us tickets for the Nedbank Golf
Challenge.
When we came
up, he tested me at the Golfers club, and they were very impressed. I also
found out more about Gavin Levinson’s academy from friends my father knows. I
only decided to take up golf in the middle of December.
It was a big
opportunity that I just could not let go by. I mean Gavin is the best there is
and I hate thinking what could have happened if… like you know cricket is an
amateur sport. At golf you can at least make a living out of it if you decide
to turn pro. It wasn’t all about money, but that was the main reason.
How has your family reacted to your decision
considering your love for cricket?
My parents
and sister support me with anything I do. They questioned me on certain things,
but told me that they will accept my decision. I took my time making this
decision, weighing up the pros and cons.
What was your biggest highlight as a cricketer?
Its hard to
say really. My debuts and my centuries were really special. Just being able to
play for South Africa
was very special. I will treasure in my heart the feeling of putting on the green
and gold. My biggest highlight must be the match against Holland When I scored 153* and took two
wickets in four balls.
What will you miss most about cricket?
Cricket
played a huge part in my life. If you told me this would have happened at the
beginning of last year, I would have laughed! I think I will miss my team mates
the most. It was them that made me enjoy my cricket the most. Also not being
able to represent South
Africa again.
When did you first pick up a golf club?
I picked up
a golf club for the first time after the 2005 (Cricket) World Cup. After that
disaster, I just had to get away from cricket for a while. I just started
playing with my father’s 17 year old clubs. I enjoyed going to the driving
range and just hitting balls. Probably just letting my frustrations out!!!
How would you rate your golf game now and what is
your handicap?
Well I am a
12 handicapper. Gavin is busy building my swing up by teaching me the right
techniques (there are so many little things!!!). I personally feel it’s a lot
harder than cricket! At the moment I am very happy about the way I am
improving. My chipping and putting is 100% better. Everyday I learn something
new. So I still have a long way to go, but I am willing to learn and give it
everything I have.
I believe you have joined the Gavin Levinson academy
– when did you join and how often do you attend the academy?
I joined on
the 8th of January. I am a full time golf student. That basically
means it’s the only thing I do for the whole year. We start at 7 and stop at
about 4 o’clock (sometimes even till 5). I have Sundays and Mondays off. Part
of the course is to attend a Biokinetist
and sports psychologist, so I visit them on my off days. You also have
to be a member at a gym, so its quite hectic stuff!
Who are some of the golfers you look up to and why?
Well Tiger
is probably my biggest role model. He just has the whole package. His technique
is great. He can play any shot at any place at any time. He is mentally and
physically very strong. He handles pressure brilliantly. He also always sees
room for improvement. He is just in a class of his own.
What are your ambitions as far as golf is concerned?
Well at the
moment I just want to learn as much as I can from Gavin. Getting my handicap
down to scratch is my 1-2 year plan. I would love to become a pro one day. But
now I am just finding my feet and trying to absorb as much knowledge as I can!
Are you currently studying?
I am not
studying at the moment. I don’t want to do something halfway. I got accepted for
Chiropractor studies at Technikon in KZN, but I decided to take the opportunity
with the golf. If for any reason I decide to stop the golf, I would probably go
and study. But at the moment I cannot see that happening. I am hoping to make
it in golf some day.
There are a host of South African female golfers
doing well, like Ashleigh Simon and Stacy Bregman, do you feel pressure
entering this competitive environment?
No not
really. I think golf is one of the sport forms where you don’t have to be the
best to make a living out of it. At the moment, I am seeing the level that
these two are playing at as the level I have to reach to become competitive in
golf. Everybody wants to be the best. That is what keeps us motivated!
Have you played in any golf tournaments yet?
My first
tournament will be in Port Elizabeth
(Eastern Cape Golf Championships) from the 10-14 February.
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