Golf kept me going

After a high voltage shock led to the amputation of his arm, it was a desire to return to the golf course which sustained Roux Steenkamp. With three wins from as many golf for the disabled events, the Northern Cape golfer is making the Physically-Disabled Stabeford category his own and looks set for plenty of future success on the All Abilities Golf Tour.

A fourth generation sheep farmer in the Northern Cape town of Carnarvon, farming has played a defining role in Steenkamp’s life. In 2017 he obtained his Honors in BSc Agricultural Animal Sciences and it was while completing his studies that he met his now wife, Enja.

Five years after finishing his degree, Steenkamp was working alone in a field on the 3rd of November 2022 when he experienced a high voltage burn. The harrowing events which followed are best described by the man himself.

“After some 30 minutes, I got up in a burning karoo veld and drove myself to the local hospital in extreme pain,” Steenkamp recalls.

“I spent 9 days in a coma, 4 days in ICU and another 32 days in the hospital in Cape Town 700km away before learning to walk again.”

Amid an uncertain future, Steenkamp was certain of his desire to get back onto the course.

“Once I was physically able, I walked back onto the putting green to play my favourite sport but only with my dominant left-arm.”

In time Steenkamp grew strong enough to withstand the physical rigours of playing golf and since his first round in March 2023, he’s enjoyed staggering progress largely owing to his placing a greater emphasis on accuracy.

“Not being able to hit it far has forced me to focus more on hitting it straighter which has improved my game a lot!”

Steenkamp announced himself on the South African golf for the disabled stage with a 5-point victory after rounds of 41 and 44 points respectively.

Steenkamp has made a habit of winning since, emerging victorious at both the Country Club Johannesburg Disabled Golf Open and Ebotse Links Disabled Open respectively. 

15 months removed from his accident, Steenkamp says he is learning to cope with the challenges of his circumstances in every facet of his life.

“Entertaining my one-year-old and handling him is challenging but I’m coping and making him laugh!”

“Dealing with two-hand jobs all the time isn’t ideal but my farm workers help me a lot which I’m truly thankful for.”

Steenkamp says that golf has played a part in sustaining him as he navigates his new reality.

“The game of golf kept me going. The friends I’ve made and the goals I’ve set for myself helped enormously with my recovery to get to this point.

“I am so blessed to have a second chance in life!”

Photo: Nic Bothma/ Matrix Images