Dale Hayes
Name:
Dale HayesAlso known as:
HaysieCountry:
South AfricaBorn:
July 1, 1952 in Pretoria, Gauteng Province, S Africa.Original/Home Club:
Occupation:
Professional golfer, TV golf commentator, founder of Dale Hayes Golf event management company.Turned Pro:
1970Website:
https://www.dalehayesgolf.comTotal professional wins (21), including Sunshine Tour (13) and European Tour (5+). European Tour Order of Merit winner (1975).
Hayes has been involved for many years with the successful course design company of Matkovich & Hayes. Most of the actual design is done by Peter Matkovich, with Hayes predominantly involved in marketing and public relations for the company. Matkovich designs can be found in all parts of South Africa.
Hayes enjoyed a successful playing career as a professional golfer, which included winning the 1975 European Tour Order of Merit. After retiring from competitive golf, he has remained very active in the game as a commentator and principal of an event management business.
Europe
x
Played as the Spanish Open. Second-placed Brian Barnes (Scot) finished 2 shots behind Hayes (RSA). [Golf Torrequebrada, Benalmadena, nr Malaga].
Europe
x
Played as the French Open. Second-placed Seve Ballesteros (Esp) finished 11 shots behind Hayes (RSA). [Red course, La Baule GC, Pays-de-la-Loire].
Europe
x
Played as the Italian Open. Second-placed Vin Baker (RSA) and Tommy Horton (Eng) finished 3 shots behind Hayes (RSA). [Pevero GC, Costa Smeralda, Sardinia].
Africa
Kronenbrau
Played as the Kronenbrau South African Masters. Won by Hayes (RSA). [Milnerton GC, nr Cape Town, Western Cape, RSA].
Played as the South African Open. Hayes (RSA) beat John Fourie (RSA) in a playoff. [Houghton GC, Johannesburg, RSA].
Africa
Lexington
Played as the Lexington PGA Championship. Won for the third straight year by Hayes (RSA). [The Wanderers GC, Ilovo, Johannesburg, RSA].
Awards
Eurpn Tr
Hayes (RSA) won the Harry Vardon Trophy as the European Tour 1975 Order of Merit winner. Using a season-long points system, Hayes accumulated 17,487.99 pts; Bob Shearer (Aus) was second with 13,920.88 pts; Eamonn Darcy (Ire) was third with 11,988.33 pts. Hayes also topped the Tour's 1975 Prize Money List with £20,507; Jack Newton (Aus) was second with £16,394; Bob Shearer (Aus) was third with £16,040.
Awards
Eurpn Tr
Hayes (RSA) recorded the season's lowest stroke average on the European Tour, with 71.26. Bob Shearer (Aus) was second with 71.77. Graham Marsh (Aus) averaged 70.90, but played in only six tournaments (20 rounds).
Europe
x
Played as the Swiss Open. In a South Africa dominated Swiss Open, second-placed Gary Player (RSA), Tienie Britz (RSA) and Bernard Gallacher (Scot) finished 1 shot behind Hayes (RSA). [GC Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans-Montana, Switzerland].
Africa
Lexington
Played as the Lexington PGA Championship. Won by defending champion Hayes (RSA). [The Wanderers GC, Ilovo, Johannesburg, RSA].
Africa
Beck's
Played as the Beck's PGA Championship. Second-placed Gary Player (RSA) finished 1 shot behind Hayes (RSA). [The Wanderers GC, Ilovo, Johannesburg, RSA].
Europe
x
Played as the Spanish Open. Won by Dale Hayes (RSA). [Real (Royal) GC El Prat, El Prat de Llobregat, nr Barcelona Airport. Club now located in Terrassa, nr Barcelona].
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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