Arthur D’Arcy Locke was born in Germiston in 1917 and educated at Benoni High School. At the age of 18 he stunned the golfing fraternity by winning the 1935 South African Open at Parkview, as an amateur!
The years 1936 and 1937 saw Locke rake in more amateur awards, including the coveted Lucifer Empire trophy. It was during this period that he picked up the nickname ‘Bobby’ because of his admiration for Bobby Jones, the great US golfing champion.
Locke turned professional at the age of 20; he won both the Irish and New Zealand Open titles in the same year. However, his blossoming golfing career was cut short by the outbreak of World War II, and he was conscripted into the South African Air Force (SAAF) in 1940. His first posting was to the SAAF headquarters at Voortrekkerhoogte near Pretoria.
His advanced training took him to various airfield centres, including Randfontein, Nigel and Vereeniging, where he earned his wings as a pilot of twin-engine bombers.
(Interestingly, the SAAF was the second-oldest air force in the world. It was started by General Jan Smuts, who had also recommended such a force to the British during World War I, which was established as the Royal Flying Corps, later to become the Royal Air Force.)
For the next two years, Locke was stationed at Pietersburg, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Wonderboom, Tempe, Port Alfred and Pretoria as a pilot instructor. He had received qualifications in general flying, instrument flying, navigation, and bombing and gunnery. He excelled in the handling of the Airspeed Oxford and the Avro Anson twin-engine light bombers.
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ARC names best dairy producers of the year
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) recently announced the winners of the 2024 National Master Dairyman Awards at an event hosted by AgriExpo in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
Lion breeders to give up bone stockpiles?
The Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment issued an official notice in mid-November in which it called on lion breeders to voluntarily hand over their lion bone stockpiles to the state as soon as possible.
Thousands of British farmers march on parliament against inheritance tax
Thousands of UK farmers gathered in London, England, on 19 November to demand the government repeal a proposed inheritance tax on agricultural land, which they argued threatened the future of family-run farms (see page 4), Al Jazeera reported.
Avocado frittata with sundried tomatoes, feta and olives
This wholesome, vibrant frittata is perfect for brunch or a light supper. Recipe and photo: The South African Avocado Growers' Association.
Feed, hay, and other costs are up, so it's time to get creative
Breeders and riding schools need to explore innovative ways to generate income in order to ensure their survival, says Dr Mac.
How to make polystyrene seedling trays last longer
While thinking about how to prolong the lifespan of polystyrene seedling trays that are exposed to harsh sunlight, Bill Kerr began to wonder if a coat of paint might offer a solution.
Living the 'culture' in agriculture
Creation Wines has won numerous awards, was ranked fourth in the World’s Best Vineyards in 2023, and more recently won the V d’Or award for the Best Brand Experience. The owners, Carolyn and Jean-Claude Martin, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how their winery became a top tourism destination.
Time to take a deep breath on the slopes of the Magaliesberg
Around 100km from both Johannesburg and Pretoria in Gauteng and a tad over 40km from Rustenburg in North West, Farmer’s Weekly found a fine retreat on a working farm where couples may kindle their romance.
African penguins could be extinct by 2035 how to save them
Protecting the critically endangered African penguin is good for the environment, other animal species, and the economy, say Lorien Pichegru and Dr Alistair McInnes of Nelson Mandela University, Katrin Ludynia of the University of Cape Town, and Peter Barham of the University of Bristol in the UK.
An urgent need to confront Nassella in SA
South American grass species from the genus Nassella were unwittingly introduced to South Africa over 120 years ago and continue to invade montane veld. As Mike Burgess writes, research-based action is required.
