The PGA have honoured our first 5 Master Professionals - Denis Hutchinson, Cobie Le Grange, Dale Hayes, Gavan Levenson and Dennis Bruyns whom were honored at Glendower Golf Club on 21st October 2008.
ULTIMATE ACCOLADE: The country's first Master Professionals (from left)-
Gavan Levenson, Dennis Bruyns, Dale Hayes, Cobie Le Grange and Denis Hutchinson.
These five “legendary” professionals, who between them boast some 200 years of experience in the professional game.
All five have made significant contributions to the game, be it through successful playing careers, administration, teaching, retail or media.
Gavan Levenson has served on several committees within the PGA and, after a successful playing career, has dedicated his professional life to teaching the game and boasts several of South Africa’s top players, including the likes of James Kamte, Ashleigh Simon and Dylan Fritelli, as his pupils. Owning and running the Glendower Golf Academy, he is also coach to the national junior squad.
All five expressed their honour at being recognised for their contributions to the game, with Dale Hayes summing it up perfectly, “I am very honoured to be recognised by the PGA in this way and especially to be included in this group of fine professionals who have all done so much for the game.”
In October 2008 Gavan Levenson become one of the first 5 of South’s Africa’s most recognized Golfers when he reached the pinnacle of the PGA in South Africa, being named a Master Professional. The other 4 professionals selected were Dennis Hutchinson, Cobie Le Grange, Dale Hayes and Dennis Hutchinson.
Amateur Highlights
Represented South Africa nine times.
Captained South Africa, Transvaal and several Southern Transvaal teams.
South African Tour Victories
- 1983 Sigma Vaal Reefs Open
- 1984 Lexington PGA Championship
- 1985 The 74th SA Open Championship
- 1986 ICL International
- 1990 ICL International
- 1983/84 Order of Merit winner
International Victories
- 1979 Belgian Open (European Tour)
- 1991 Open de Baleares (European Tour)
- 2004 DGM Barbados Open (European Seniors Tour)
Interesting Facts & Figures
Gavan is one of South African golf's most respected professionals with an illustrious career spanning over two decades.
His amateur career established his credentials as one of the stars of the South African game. He represented South Africa nine times as an amateur. He also captained South Africa, Transvaal and several Southern Transvaal teams.
After turning professional in 1978, Gavan collected his first victory a year later in the 1979 Belgian Open. On the local circuit, Gavin was a dominant force in the late Eighties, winning the prestigious Lexington PGA Championship and the South African Open, as well as claiming two ICL International titles.
Named the PGA Teacher of the year in 2003.
Today
Gavan has become a leader in Teaching and runs his Golf Academy out of Glendower. Many of South Africa’s future golfing greats are being taught by Gavan. He is also the National Coach for the National Junior Squad. Go to Gavan Levenson Academy on this website for more details on his academy |
