Pixie Phillips plays golf twice a week, takes her elderly friends shopping, and does a lot of volunteer knitting and sewing, at the age of almost 96!
With her golf shirt proudly displaying the name of the Jeffrey’s Bay Golf Club, she is a picture of health, humour and energy.
“I always loved sport, and started playing golf at the age of three-and-a-half, when my dad cut clubs for me. I come from a golfing family – my children and husband all played golf. I also did gymnastics and played a lot of tennis, and love dancing,” she says, proudly.
This ex-maths- and science teacher, says that when the family moved to Jeffreys Bay in 1983 – when Da Gama Road was still dirt – they first looked for a church, and then the golf course!
“If you have played golf with someone, you are friends from then on. Golfers laugh a lot!”
Golfer by heart
“Golf is never the same. There is always a surprise. I was lucky to have had one hole-in-one! Every hole is a challenge. I have played with people on many courses, locally and over the world, making wonderful friends for life.”
Pixie says her lowest handicap was 16, but now plays from a 24. She still pulls her own cart, and walks the course.
“I do not play in competitions anymore, or for the seniors. And it also depends on the weather. I do not use a cart or a caddy.”
Health
Pixie, as she is fondly known, enjoys good health. “A chiropractor puts me into place now and again.”
She had an eye operation and will be undergoing another soon. She and her husband raised three daughters and a son, and there are seven grandchildren in the family. Her husband passed away ten years ago.
Life lessons from a veteran
She says that it is important to keep going. “Watch when you are walking. I believe in three meals a day. And do not stop moving! I still do my own housework and drive my own car. I like to cook for myself every night. When you do sport, protect your skin.”
Some golfing advice? “Keep your head down and eye on the ball!”
Future plans
“I would firstly like to finish the jersey I am knitting. Then I would be happy to join my daughter and her family on a houseboat for four days on the Kariba in April, which is my birthday month.”
Friends
Her friend at the local club, Reinette Roos, says, “Pixie makes life look easy. She cannot be compared to anyone, an inspiration!”
Hester Niemand agrees, adding, “She taught us that giving up is not an option. She enjoys life!”
Motto
“I thank the Lord to be able to live life and see my golfer friends. I say my prayers and go to church, and stay on the straight and narrow (even if it is not easy!). I enjoy a brandy and ginger ale every night.”
“Do not let things like loadshedding get you down. Adapt, and do something else.”
She laughs when she admits to being a night owl and likes to sleep late.
“I don’t think about age. I enjoy doing different things. One should not lose interest.”
Proposed golf course development
When asked her feelings regarding the proposed development of the Jeffreys Bay golf course, Pixie says sternly, “It will be a disastrous destruction when this asset will be destroyed! It is in everyone’s reach. It is not an ordinary 9-hole. Members and holiday makers make use of it. I would rather like them to build on land round about.”
