Former golfer seeks R17m from Road Accident Fund after life-altering injuries

A FORMER golfer who said he was compelled to retire from professional golf in 2022 due to persistent physical limitations arising from a car accident is claiming more than R17 million from the Road Accident Fund (RAF).

- ZELDA VENTER

Teagan Gauche turned to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, after he suffered severe injuries in December 2013 while driving when he had to swerve out of the way for an oncoming taxi. His vehicle landed on its roof.

Included in his damages claim against the fund is a claim for R15m for estimated loss of earnings.

According to Gauche, he was forced to retire from golf in 2022 as a result of his injuries.

He said he had a bright golfing future at the time, and if it were not for the accident, he would have earned a lot of money from golfing.

At the time of the collision, he was a 21-year-old amateur golfer. He had to take two years off after the collision and was obliged to withdraw from events owing to pain.

He further told the court that he became a professional golfer and played professionally from 2017. He stopped his professional golfing career in 2022 due to his injuries, he said.