How it started
It all started with Brian Felix growing up in Lavender Hill, a historically disadvantaged community on the Cape Flats shaped by apartheid-era forced removals and burdened by severe socio-economic challenges, gang violence, and drug activity. Yet Lavender Hill is also a place of resilience, community spirit, and untapped potential. From a young age, Brian found solace and purpose in golf, a sport not commonly associated with his community. Despite the odds, he pursued his passion with determination, using golf as a means to rise above his circumstances. Years later Brian started Hillwood Golf Academy to provide similar opportunities for other young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Brian grew up to be an exceptionally good golfer. In 2015 he qualified for the World Amateur Golfers Championship in Turkey, representing South Africa and coming fourth. He came home with a dream of helping other young people from disadvantaged areas, in the same way he had been given the opportunity to change his life.
Brian made a plan and in 2017 he started the Hillwood Golf Academy, an organisation which he and his wife Carol are strongly involved. In 2025 Brian received a VIP invitation from the British Open and attended the tournament. Today he also has a team of young golfers who train students at Cape Town's Royal Cape Golf Club.
