Golfer Nande moving to SA, to turn pro
• By Michael Uugwanga
THE country’s top amateur golfing sensation Likius Nande is moving to Johannesburg, South Africa with the aim of developing his game and in the hope that he will turn professional next year.
The 24-year-old Swakopmund-born will be having a fundraising event at the Windhoek Golf and Country Club on January 28, before leaving for South Africa.
Nande has won almost every amateur title in the country, with his last triumphs all coming last year at Swakopmund Open, First National Bank (FNB) Namibian Open Golf Tournament and Oranjemund Open. He however came second at the Rossmund Open.
The Swakopmund Open tournament title was his sixth straight triumph.
In 2018, the golfer was awarded the MTC/Namibia Sports Awards (NSA) Sport Star of the Year for his achievements.
This week, Confidente Sport caught up with Nande to hear from him regarding his golf future.
“The past two years were very difficult for me. Last year, I only played in four tournaments of which I won three.
I did not take part in any international tournaments due to Covid-19. I have just been practicing.
“Next month I will be moving to Johannesburg and moving to South Africa will be a good move because for me it will be like a dream come true as it has been long overdue to be honest and I will be looking forward to playing in big South Africa tournaments, as I have always said that if you want to make it in golf and if you can make it in South Africa, then you will make it anywhere.
“I will be turning professional next year while in South Africa. My first amateur tournament in South Africa will be at the end of February that is the Africa Open Amateur tournament. In September I will also be playing in a big qualifying tournament. I will be having a fundraiser before I depart and the support so far ahead of the fundraising event has been huge,” said Nande.
South Africa is home to some of the world’s best amateur golfers such as Martin Vorster (turned professional last year and was ranked 40 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking) and Caitlyn Macnab; a challenge that awaits Nande.
“For now I am not going to put lots of pressure on myself, because my aim is just to be on the leaderboard and try to see how far I can go. The advantage of going to South Africa is that I am going to get a top coach and work more on my game. I did not have a coach for six years, with my last coach being Steve Basson (current golf director at the Windhoek Golf and Country Club), so basically I was just doing things on my own.”
Nande said that he started playing golf at the age of 10 when his father used to take me to the golf course in Swakopmund to avoid him being alone at home after school. This is where he found his passion.
He also said that he plans to promote golf especially amongst the previously disadvantaged communities.
“Some people still see golf as a sport for white people or for rich people. I am busy building something for the previously disadvantaged kids because you never know where the talent is. My first holiday will be in June and I will be focusing on junior development”.