Senior CJ van Wyk possesses a 73.1 stroke average in six tournaments.
Rocket Spotlight On CJ van Wyk
3/20/2025 1:00:00 PM | Men's Golf
On growing up on a golf course in South Africa, his favorite road trips as a Rocket, and why he likes field hockey
Senior CJ van Wyk is a senior from George, South Africa. A finance major who transferred to Toledo from Augusta University, van Wyk possesses a 73.1 stroke average in his second season with the Rockets.
On when he started playing golf growing up in South Africa
I was playing golf as early as I can remember. I got my first clubs when I was about four and started playing in competitive tournaments around 10 years old.
On coming from a golfing family
My parents were definitely my biggest supporters. They both played golf. My dad coached me for my first 10 years or so and obviously played a major part in my career. They always made many sacrifices for me to play in tournaments because golf requires a lot of travel and time. We grew up on a golf course as well, so we had no option (laughing). My two older brothers played so I was next in line.
On the golf landscape in South Africa
Golf in South Africa is very competitive. We have the Sunshine Tour that is for professionals. My brother Ben is playing on it right now. I want to do that after I graduate. I feel more comfortable starting my career in my home country. As far as finances go, it would be a lot easier to play there where I have more support.
On a professional golfer he looked up to
Louis Oosthuizen was my idol growing up. I was lucky enough to meet him after he won the Open Championship and play a couple holes with him. He's a really nice guy on and off the golf course.
On his relationship with former Rockets Barend and NJ Botha
They actually lived 25 minutes from my hometown. We knew each other through golf from a very young age and they were definitely a major reason in me transferring here from Augusta University. We competed against each other in tournaments a lot and also played together socially. They were close friends with my older brother Ben at first and then I got to become friends with them.
On other sports he played growing up
I really loved field hockey. I liked it because it was more action-packed than golf. I also really loved that it was a team event. I felt like I had really good vision on the field, and I liked to exercise too.
On his adjustment to the United States
The language was my biggest adjustment. I went to an English high school, so my English was pretty solid. I didn't have a problem with it at first, but after a while not being able to speak your first language wasn't great. I also had a tough time just adjusting to the food. We ate a lot of steak in South Africa, and it was a lot cheaper there as well. I also have never experienced sub-30 degree temperature or snow in my life, but it's something I've enjoyed here in Toledo.
On playing for Head Coach Jeff Roope
He's helped me a lot in making sure I do all the right things off the golf course when it comes to time management, classes and workouts, and everything that isn't directly related to golf. He helped me see that if I put 100% effort in those areas that I would surely see how it would improve my discipline and carry over to the golf course. If it wasn't for him, I don't know if I would have seen it so soon. I'm very grateful for that.
On the Inverness Club
Playing and practice at Inverness is a tremendous opportunity for us. Just to be able to go to the back of the range where the grass is freshly cut every morning is great. We have an amazing pitching green where you can practice all sorts of chips that we can imagine from bunker, deep rough to big slopes. It definitely plays a big part in helping us improve.
On hobbies or interests outside of golf
I really love hiking and fishing, particularly mountain hiking. We've got a lot of mountains in South Africa and I really enjoy that.
On favorite trips as a Rocket
One of them was our trip to the Cal Poly Invitational last year. The golf course was in the middle of nowhere, which I really liked. We had to drive 30 to 40 minutes on a dirt road right through mountains and forests to get there and it was beautiful. I also liked our Top-100 trips to Florida. We do those to meet alumni and play golf to get ready for our spring season. It's more relaxing than the competition of a tournament and we get to meet former Rockets.
On when he started playing golf growing up in South Africa
I was playing golf as early as I can remember. I got my first clubs when I was about four and started playing in competitive tournaments around 10 years old.
On coming from a golfing family
My parents were definitely my biggest supporters. They both played golf. My dad coached me for my first 10 years or so and obviously played a major part in my career. They always made many sacrifices for me to play in tournaments because golf requires a lot of travel and time. We grew up on a golf course as well, so we had no option (laughing). My two older brothers played so I was next in line.
On the golf landscape in South Africa
Golf in South Africa is very competitive. We have the Sunshine Tour that is for professionals. My brother Ben is playing on it right now. I want to do that after I graduate. I feel more comfortable starting my career in my home country. As far as finances go, it would be a lot easier to play there where I have more support.
On a professional golfer he looked up to
Louis Oosthuizen was my idol growing up. I was lucky enough to meet him after he won the Open Championship and play a couple holes with him. He's a really nice guy on and off the golf course.
On his relationship with former Rockets Barend and NJ Botha
They actually lived 25 minutes from my hometown. We knew each other through golf from a very young age and they were definitely a major reason in me transferring here from Augusta University. We competed against each other in tournaments a lot and also played together socially. They were close friends with my older brother Ben at first and then I got to become friends with them.
On other sports he played growing up
I really loved field hockey. I liked it because it was more action-packed than golf. I also really loved that it was a team event. I felt like I had really good vision on the field, and I liked to exercise too.
On his adjustment to the United States
The language was my biggest adjustment. I went to an English high school, so my English was pretty solid. I didn't have a problem with it at first, but after a while not being able to speak your first language wasn't great. I also had a tough time just adjusting to the food. We ate a lot of steak in South Africa, and it was a lot cheaper there as well. I also have never experienced sub-30 degree temperature or snow in my life, but it's something I've enjoyed here in Toledo.
On playing for Head Coach Jeff Roope
He's helped me a lot in making sure I do all the right things off the golf course when it comes to time management, classes and workouts, and everything that isn't directly related to golf. He helped me see that if I put 100% effort in those areas that I would surely see how it would improve my discipline and carry over to the golf course. If it wasn't for him, I don't know if I would have seen it so soon. I'm very grateful for that.
On the Inverness Club
Playing and practice at Inverness is a tremendous opportunity for us. Just to be able to go to the back of the range where the grass is freshly cut every morning is great. We have an amazing pitching green where you can practice all sorts of chips that we can imagine from bunker, deep rough to big slopes. It definitely plays a big part in helping us improve.
On hobbies or interests outside of golf
I really love hiking and fishing, particularly mountain hiking. We've got a lot of mountains in South Africa and I really enjoy that.
On favorite trips as a Rocket
One of them was our trip to the Cal Poly Invitational last year. The golf course was in the middle of nowhere, which I really liked. We had to drive 30 to 40 minutes on a dirt road right through mountains and forests to get there and it was beautiful. I also liked our Top-100 trips to Florida. We do those to meet alumni and play golf to get ready for our spring season. It's more relaxing than the competition of a tournament and we get to meet former Rockets.
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