Page 34 - Interface October Issue 2025

Darren Fichardt:

A neighbour

with a global

swing

f you’ve ever spotted Darren He still remembers the moment that was my set. By 14, I’d made
Fichardt strolling across the it clicked. At twelve years old, his provincial colours with those clubs.”
ICenturion fairways, clubs in hand, father — already a keen golfer — let
you might not guess the full story. him tag along as a “free caddie.” It was the beginning of a journey
He’s one of South Africa’s most One Saturday, a playing partner that would carry him from
decorated professional golfers, with suggested he take a swing. Darren Centurion’s backyards to the biggest
titles across the globe — but here at smacked the ball down the middle. stages in golf.
home, he’s also just the neighbour “They told my dad: you need to get
who’d rather be with his family than your son playing golf.” Turning pro before anyone
anywhere else in the world. thought he should
On his twelfth birthday, his father By 18, Darren was ranked as the
“I’ve always been bought him a mismatched top amateur in South Africa. He
housebound,” Darren pawn-shop set of clubs had offers to play college golf in
laughs. “I hated being for R150. “Every single the U.S. — full scholarships, NCAA
Every single
away from home. club was different,” championships, the works. Everyone
club was
I couldn’t even go Darren grins, “but expected him to take the safe path.
different — but that
to Joburg without
was my set. By 14,
missing it. Then
I chose a career I’d made provincial
that had me living colours with
on airplanes!” those clubs.

That contradiction has
shaped not only his career
but his character: a balance
between international success and
an unwavering commitment to the
people closest to him.

From the back of the pack to the
front of the fairway
As the youngest of four, Darren often
found himself in the background. His
older siblings were louder, rowdier,
always in the spotlight. Golf became
his way to carve out a space that
was his alone.

INTERFACEDigimag | OCTOBER 2025 | 32