One-armed golfing legend Erasmus “Ras” Theron has died in Queenstown, aged 76.
Theron, originally from Bloemfontein, South Africa, has represented his home country in international one-armed golf competitions for decades after losing his right arm at 19-years-old during a military pilot training accident.
The accident, during a training exercise, resulted in severe burns to 68% of his body, leading to the amputation of his arm and nearly costing him his leg.
Theron required 42 operations and was advised he would not be able to play sport again.
Despite this, he adapted his golf swing and continued playing using only his left arm.
Theron earned his Springbok colours after representing South Africa in international one-armed golf competitions.
He later became a regular presence on golf courses across the Queenstown area, including Arrowtown Golf Club and Jack’s Point.
In March last year, Theron scored his second hole-in-one at the Frankton Golf Centre’s driving range.
The shot was sunk into a super-sized hole mounted on an old trailer from a distance of 76m.
His first hole-in-one came when he was 65, on the 12th hole at Arrowtown Golf Club, 55 years after he first took up the sport.
At the time of his second hole-in-one, Theron was recovering from shoulder surgery.
He said he no longer hit the same distance but described the shot as perfect.
Theron also returned to aviation later in life, gaining his private pilot’s licence in 1990.
He flew three different types of modified aircraft - a Cessna 150, Mooney 201 and RV7 - using one arm.
He continued flying regularly until vertigo forced him to stop piloting about two years ago.
Theron had commuted regularly to New Zealand for about 25 years, following his sons after they moved to the country, and later settled in Queenstown.
Speaking to the Herald last year, Theron spoke candidly about overcoming life’s challenges.
“It’s always a miracle [getting a hole-in-one], whether you have a high handicap or a low handicap. It’s a very special thing for any golfer,” he said.
“Bad things often happen in life. There might just be someone out there who’s about to lose hope and whose lifeline has become so frazzled it’s about to snap. Please don’t let go. Better times are just around the corner.”
South African media reported that Theron’s body will be repatriated to South Africa for burial, with funeral details to be announced.
Ben Tomsett is a multimedia journalist based in Dunedin. He joined the Herald in 2023.