Durban professional Michael Hollick described his opening 63 at Glendower Golf Club for a share of Thursday’s first-round lead in the Fortress Invitational as amongst the top three rounds of his career.

And it’s no surprise that it comes at a time when he is the most settled in his life – both on and off the fairways.

Hollick came through day one of this Sunshine Tour event tied for the lead with Trevor Fisher Jnr. following their rounds of nine under par, and two strokes clear of the field.

“A 63 around Glendower in a tournament is always a very special round of golf. It’s probably in my top three tournament rounds of golf ever. My iron play was phenomenal and I drove the ball well. I like Glendower and the course really suits my eye,” said Hollick.

Clearly, what also suits Hollick’s game is fatherhood and building a life off the fairways.

“My wife Gina and I had our baby two weeks ago. Fatherhood puts things into perspective. She is absolutely adorable and she is the most important thing for me now. I do have a lot of stability in my life now. I’m coaching at Mount Edgecombe and it’s going really well. We own a gym in Durban. My wife is a psychologist and she has her practice. Life does feel pretty settled. It’s a good time of my life.

“I don’t play as many tournaments anymore, but when I do I play well because I’m hungry to play and not just on that weekly treadmill out on tour. As a touring professional in the past it was hard to pay the bills. But now with the increases in prize funds on the Sunshine Tour it’s giving good players the opportunity to express themselves on the golf course and make a living out of it, and the standard of golf is incredibly strong on the Sunshine Tour.

“But I’m enjoying tournaments again and long may it continue, with hopefully many more good results.”

(Photo by Tyrone Winfield/Sunshine Tour)