Retief Waltman (born 1938–39) is a former South African

professional golfer A professional golfer is somebody who receives payments or financial rewards in the sport of golf that are directly related to their skill or reputation. A person who earns money by teaching or playing golf is traditionally considered a "golf pr ...

and is a Christian missionary.

Professional career

Waltman started his career as an assistant professional Pretoria Country Club. He showed promise as a teenager and, at the age of 18, beat

Bobby Locke Arthur D'Arcy "Bobby" Locke (20 November 1917 – 9 March 1987) was a South African professional golfer. He is generally regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. He won The Open Championship four times and 15 PGA Tour events in total ...

in the first round of the 1957 South African Professional Match Play Championship. His victory was referred to as "one of the greatest surprises in South African golf for several years." Waltman was an unknown teenager and Locke was considered one of the best golfers in the world and would go on to win the

British Open The Open Championship, often referred to as The Open or the British Open, is the oldest golf tournament in the world, and one of the most prestigious. Founded in 1860, it was originally held annually at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland. Later th ...

four months later. Waltman won his first big tournament, the 1961 South African Open, by an extraordinary eight shots. Two years later he would win the event again by shot over colored golfer

Sewsunker Sewgolum Sewsunker "Papwa" Sewgolum ( OIS) (12 December 1928 – 5 July 1978) was a South African professional golfer of ethnic Indian origin, who carved a niche for himself in golfing folklore when he became the first golfer of colour to win a provinci ...

. In addition to these triumphs he won multiple other events on the South African circuit and the 1963 Dutch Open.

Missionary work

Waltman was considered a "potential superstar" but abruptly quit golf at the age of 25 after completing the

1964 Masters Tournament The 1964 Masters Tournament was the 28th Masters Tournament, held April 9–12 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. A field of 96 players entered the tournament and 48 made the 36-hole cut at 148 (+4). Arnold Palmer, age 34, opened w ...

. Waltman stated, "I wanted a purpose for my life. I was devoting my whole life to a game. Being so involved in golf limited me. Man is his own biggest enemy." The golf commentator Henry Longhurst elaborated, "Gradually the sheer materialism of this form of life and the unceasing emphasis on money began to sicken him, as it must have done so many before him. The difference was that he did not threaten to give it up. He just gave it up." He became a Christian missionary. As of 2006, he was still a missionary. He survived three knife attacks during his work.

Personal life

The future professional golfer

Retief Goosen Retief Goosen (born 3 February 1969) is a South African professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour Champions. He has won two U.S. Opens, in 2001 and 2004, headed the European Tour Order of Merit in 2001 and 2002, and was in the top ten of th ...

is named after Waltman.

Professional wins

South African circuit wins (5)

*1958 Cock of the North *1961 South African Open *1963 South African Open,

Transvaal Open The Transvaal Open was a golf tournament in South Africa. In later years it was a fixture on the South African Sunshine Circuit. Winners * 1911 Laurie Waters * 1912 ''No tournament'' * 1913 Jock Brews * 1914–18 ''No tournament'' * 1919 Laurie ...

*1964

Western Province Open The Western Province Open was a golf tournament in South Africa as part of the South African Tour. Winners ''This list is incomplete'' * 1936 Alf Padgham (268) * 1956 Bobby Locke (287) * 1957 Gary Player (285) * 1958 Bobby Locke (286) * 1959 Ha ...

European circuit win (1)

*1963 Dutch Open

Team appearances

Canada Cup The Canada Cup (french: Coupe Canada) was an invitational international ice hockey tournament held on five occasions between 1976 and 1991. The brainchild of Toronto lawyer Alan Eagleson, the tournament was created to meet demand for a true world ...

(representing South Africa):

1961 Events January * January 3 ** United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower announces that the United States has severed diplomatic and consular relations with Cuba ( Cuba–United States relations are restored in 2015). ** Aero Flight 311 ...

1963 Events January * January 1 – Bogle–Chandler case: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation scientist Dr. Gilbert Bogle and Mrs. Margaret Chandler are found dead (presumed poisoned), in bushland near the Lane Cov ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Waltman, Retief South African male golfers South African Christian missionaries 1930s births Living people