‘MY DAD PHONED FOR A TREE FELLER AND AN ALL BLACKS RUGBY LEGEND TURNED UP’
DYLAN FRITTELLI
What was your first car and what do you drive now?
My first was a 2003 Toyota Corolla that I bought from my grandfather, and I don’t actually have a car at the moment. I get a car from a dealer called Apple Sport in Austin, Texas, where I live, and Hatfield VW in South Africa give me one when I’m over there. Whatever their flavour of the month is, I drive it.
Apart from a house, what’s the most extravagant purchase you’ve ever made?
I am the least likely guy to buy anything extravagant. My mum wanted a nice handbag for her 60th birthday. But for me? Probably an Xbox. That’s as far as I’ll go to spoil myself.
What’s the most money you’ve ever gambled on the course?
It’s going to be a pittance compared to everyone else, but I think I once took $800 off Eric Van Rooyen in a practice round in
America. I’ve probably lost the same amount to him as well somewhere.
What has been your closest brush with death?
Probably last December (2023) actually! Climbing Table Mountain in Cape Town with my girlfriend. It was pretty scary, to be honest. The weather came in and it turned very cold. Walking along some of the cliff sides I was feeling a little nauseous. I had to focus on one step at a time!
What’s your most treasured possession?
My bed and my set-up for sleeping is probably the one thing that I really love. At my house in Austin I’ve got climate control, a nice setting on the bed and a little mattress that cools everything down. Take that away from me and I’d be very upset.
Are you more of an experience person?
Oh, yeah, 100 percent. I enjoy going out, doing things, travelling, seeing the world.
Is that one of the reasons you’ve settled in Austin?
Completely and it’s also the reason why I chose golf, because I get to travel.
I remember when I was seven years old, a tree fell down in our house and a tree feller came over. My dad was like, “Meet this guy. He’s super famous.” I was like, “What? He cuts trees, he can’t be famous!” But it was Don Clarke, the All-blacks rugby legend. He was chatting to us and I guess my dad wanted to instil some values in me.
Don told me that he didn’t get paid to play for the All Blacks. Instead, he was paid in travel and experiences. He said his most enjoyable and prized memories were meeting people and seeing the world.
And now, years on, I’ve made a bunch of money, more than I’m ever going to be able to spend, and those experiences Don told me about are most important to me.
Given the power, what one thing would you change in golf?
That’s a tough one. The management of the game, the upper-level policy-makers. That’s one thing I would change.
What’s been your most embarrassing moment on the golf course?
It wasn’t me, but I do remember when I was 12, a buddy of mine hit a ball onto an island at my home club in South Africa and he jumped over the water to get it. There was knee-high grass over there and he missed the landing and flopped backwards, falling about six feet into the river.
Which player would you least like to caddie for?
Easy: Tyrrell Hatton!
What was the hardest day you’ve had on the golf course?
I had a few last year. I pulled out of a couple tournaments with a back injury, a hip injury and other times I just couldn’t get the ball on the planet and was missing the cut by a bunch. If I had to pick one, it’s probably in the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head last year. I had a shocker out there and literally couldn’t get the ball in play.
What’s your most unusual life experience?
Playing on the Challenge Tour in my mid-20s. We went to some random places like Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
If you could edit your past, what would you change?
Probably not play as many tournaments as I’ve played in the past. It’s too easy to get in that mindset and play too many. Play better and just spend more time at home.