Greg McKay’s personal mantra – the journey to better never ends – is what has focused his sights on achieving his dream goal
story sue miles
In the words of Muhammad Ali: Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision.
As a toddler, Greg McKay displayed a fascination for golf, swinging a plastic club as he imitated dad Russell, an accomplished golfer; and by the time Greg started school, he was already nagging to be taken to the driving range on a regular basis.
Now a 17-year-old schoolboy, Greg is captain of the KZN U23 golf team. Displaying extraordinary talent and leadership beyond his years, the Kearsney College prefect and +1 golfer has an exciting career ahead.
But there are still many greens and fairways to play before the possibility of achieving his life goal – to one day play at the Masters in Augusta, United States.
Greg already has a collection of trophies and awards which are testament to his talent and passion for the sport. At prep school he was playing for the KZN U12 team; at the age of 15 he was SA Schools’ golf champion and had won a KZN U23 stroke play tournament; and last year, at the age of 16, he was selected for the SA U19 and KZN U23 teams.
He credits dad Russell – who played junior golf with the likes of Ernie Els and Retief Goosen – as his mentor and greatest inspiration.
“I’ve never had a professional golf coach – just my dad and, in the last few years, Bruce Thompson at Kearsney, who is unbelievably passionate in his encouragement. He’s done wonders for my game. I’m fortunate that my school and family encourage me so enthusiastically – with my family always there to watch and support me at every event.”
A keen all-round sportsman, Greg has played cricket, hockey and rugby at Kearsney, but focuses primarily on golf, practising for at least an hour and a half three times a week, gyming twice a week and playing golf at weekends. His home course is Mount Edgecombe Country Club.
Bruce Thompson, Kearsney’s master in charge of golf, describes Greg as a modest young man with the potential to go far in golf. “His dedication to understanding the mechanics of his swing and strength training is all aimed at producing a consistent swing that does not falter in any situation.”
Greg says his selection as captain of the provincial U23 team was “quite special” and is unfazed that all team members are older than him. After writing his matric exams at the end of this year he plans to join South Africa’s amateur circuit, before enrolling at a United States golf college to combine studying with playing golf.
The quietly confident youngster says, for as long as he can remember, golf was going to be part of his life. “It’s always been what I wanted to do – it’s something I absolutely love. I’m just so lucky that I’ll hopefully be able to make a living from something I enjoy so much.”
Greg’s determination and resolute focus on improvement are borne out by his personal mantra – the journey to better never ends. *