From Pretoria to Oklahoma: A Pro Golfer's Journey with Martin Maritz-Ep 67
The Relocated South African | Emigration storiesPlay episode
Show notes
Martin Maritz grew up across the street from Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, attended Affies, became a scratch golfer at 13, and earned a full golf scholarship to the University of Tulsa.
He went on to play 300+ events across 47 countries on the Sunshine, European and Asian Tours, came agonisingly close to winning the Dunhill Championship (losing to Justin Rose in his first ever pro win), and played in the 2011 British Open.
Since retiring in 2012 he has built a career in IT recruitment and launched Birdies & Bogeys Golf Gear - an apparel company with a charitable heart, giving back to the next generation of young golfers.
Time Stamps
00:01 Welcome & Pretoria roots - Loftus, Affies, Blue Bulls rugby
02:17 How golf took over - caddying for his dad, scratch at 13
03:59 The road to Tulsa - junior championships, Trevor Immelman, Gary Player's phone call, and what a $70k scholarship really demands
10:00 Turning pro - Monday qualifiers, the Sunshine Tour springboard, and life on the road in 47 countries
11:44 The ones that got away - the Dunhill heartbreak and Loch Lomond meltdown
18:20 The unglamorous side of tour life - expenses, missed cuts, and the toll on family
25:49 Birdies & Bogeys Golf Gear - the brand, the logo, and why the name means everything
33:46 Life in Oklahoma - 30 years, extreme weather, cheap living, and a SA coffee shop that cures homesickness
42:35 Reflection - what he would do differently, and advice for young golfers
46:52 LIV Golf - why he is a fan and what he hopes for the tour's future
Links
Martin’s company: birdiesandbogiesgolfgear.com
Connect with Martin on LinkedIn
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