Does Newcastle have a world-class golf champion in the making? An individual who will join the ranks of pro-South African golf players such as Ernie Els and Gary Player?
At just 13 years of age, Juan du Toit, a Grade 7 learner from Drakensberg Primary School, will be participating in the Junior African Challenge from August 26 to August 30.
SA Kids Golf will be hosting the inaugural SA Kids Junior African Challenge at Sanlameer Country Club from the August 26 to August 29 and Dunbar Cup on August 30.
This event will attract the top children golfers from 52 countries. The age groups will be from Boys U/6 to Boys U/18 and Girls U/7 to Girls U/18.
There will be individual age groups except for the Boys and Girls U15-18 age groups which will be combined.
What makes this event truly remarkable, is that it is a qualifier for Kids Golf World Championships Malaysia, IMG Junior World Championships, FCG Callaway World Championships and the Australian Junior Age Division Golf Championships.
Juan explains he began playing golf two years ago, merely for fun. Yet, he developed such a passion for the sport, that his parents quickly allowed him to join Vulintaba Golf Club. Within a span of a year, he brought his handicap down from 30 to 18.
As Juan quickly proved to be a formidable and adept player, his parents, Jacques and Chantal, did research on golf organisations. As both were eager to see him play in a professional setting.
It was then that they discovered SA Kids Golf. The South African Kids Golf organisation holds spectacular golfing tournaments at both a local and international level.
The tournaments are held according to the province of the child and often requires a lot of travelling to the South Coast, as the tournaments often take place at top golfing estates such as Umhlali Country Club and Mount Edgecombe Country Club.
Having played in his first-ever tournament on June 2 at Mount Edgecombe, on The Woods Course, Juan proved his worth by clinching the second position. This tournament was followed by another at the Umhlali Course, where Juan also placed second.
“This will be his first big golf tournament against other African countries such as Kenya and Zimbabwe, so we are a bit nervous,” says Juan’s mother Chantal.
Juan’s sporting accolades does, however, not end on the golf course.
His father, Jacques explains they received an invitation from AVS Natal for Juan to play for the Natal Team at Bokkiesweek in Vereeniging from September 25 to September 28.
“As you can imagine, these tournaments are not cheap. It involves a lot of travelling and the entry fees are high. We are fortunate that individuals sponsored money to cover these two events which he will be participating in. We would like to thank them from the bottom of our heart, for believing and supporting him. Without their generosity, this would not have been possible,” says Jacques.
With two big sporting events ahead of him, where does Juan see himself in the future?
“I definitely want to go pro with golf,” he smiles.
Well done to a proud Newcastillian, Juan du Toit and good luck for the two upcoming events, we know you will be exceptional.
