TuksSport High School's top matric ‘soloed’ to six distinctions

Posted on January 23, 2023

TuksSport High School matriculant and TuksGolf Academy graduate Chris-Dian Haasbroek has proved with his six distinctions that anything is possible through hard work and dedication.

Haasbroek, who is 19 years old, has been living on his own in a flat for the last three years. This meant he had to run a household; including planning his own meals, cleaning, etc. In between, he practised improving his golf swing and to 'put and chip', as he is a junior provincial golfer. Then he still had to attend classes and study.

There were days when he had to get up early to go to the gym, preparing a meal before he did so. After school, he would practise golf for up to three hours. It meant sometimes he only got home at about seven at night. Then he still had to prepare a meal and study. When there was load-shedding, he went to study in the hpc restaurant at the Tuks Sports Campus.

According to Haasbroek, the secret to acing his matric exams is quite simple.

"I was totally focused when in the class. It was important to me to understand what I needed to understand; so I took notes. Everyone knew I did not want to be bothered while in class. It was a sure way to stay abreast of my studies. It also meant that any homework was a breeze."

Haasbroek will be studying industrial engineering, meaning he plans to downscale playing golf.

"I dream of working for the likes of Ford or Volkswagen in the motor manufacturing industry. I will still be playing golf, but mainly at university level. But I will always be passionate about golf," said Haasbroek, who plays from a scratch handicap.

"It was my granddad who got me interested by inviting me to play with him in Mossel Bay. I got hooked immediately. When I got back home, I played about every day.

"Golf is, to me, one of the most creative games. There are many ways to get the ball to the green and 'sink' it. My strength as a golfer is undoubtedly my short game. It is my driver that tends to let me down."

Haasbroek considers Tiger Woods and Louis Oosthuizen to be role models.

"What I admire about Tiger is his never-say-die attitude. He has made so many remarkable comebacks after being seriously injured. I can't help but get excited about Louis Oosthuizen's swing. Watching it is like poetry in motion."

TuksSport High School's matrics of 2022 managed to achieve a 100% pass rate, with Haasbroek and fellow learner Rivers Williams passing with six distinctions each.

- Author Wilhelm de Swardt

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