SA Juniors set for international challenge
Both tournaments will be played in Asia.
GolfRSA has selected 10 of South Africa’s most promising young golfers to represent the country in three prestigious international junior championships this month.
Central Gauteng’s Casey Twidale, Dewan de Bruin from Southern Cape and Gauteng North quartet Lourenda Steyn, Phenyo Sebata and brothers Roelof and Cilliers Craig will represent South Africa in the 32nd Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan from June 23 to 26.
Western Province duo Kaitlyn van de Vyver and Codi Ruiters will compete in the Ciputra Golfpreneur Junior World Championship in Indonesia from June 10 to 12 alongside Amy Stanton from Central Gauteng and Boland’s Devin Petersen.
Photo: GolfRSA
The six players heading to Japan have already enjoyed success together this year, helping South Africa secure a clean sweep of the boys’ and girls’ titles at the All Africa Junior Team Championships in Kenya in March.
“We are proud to see these talented young golfers earn the opportunity to represent South Africa on some of the biggest stages in junior golf,” said South African Golf Association President Peet van Schalkwyk.
Women’s Golf South Africa President Madeleine de Wet will manage the South African Girls Team in Japan, while Southern Cape Golf Union Director of Golf Heinrich Lourens will oversee the Boys Team.
Former Women’s Golf South Africa President Susan Andrew will accompany the four-player team travelling to Indonesia.
“Dewan and Roelof gained valuable experience at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup last year, and we are delighted that Casey, Cilliers, Lourenda and Phenyo will now have the opportunity to test themselves against some of the world’s leading junior golfers,” said De Wet.
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Before travelling to Japan, Twidale, Steyn and Sebata will compete in the prestigious ANNIKA Invitational Europe presented by Ahlsell, hosted by major champion Annika Sörenstam at Upsala Golf Club in Sweden from 16-18 June.
Van de Vyver and Stanton, both members of the GolfRSA National Women’s Squad, and South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) pair Petersen and Ruiters will make their debut in Jakarta, where they will compete in both the individual and team competitions.
“Over the years, we have seen first-hand how these international championships contribute to the development of young South African golfers,” said GolfRSA CEO and SAGDB Managing Director Grant Hepburn.
Recent DP World Tour winner Casey Jarvis was a member of South Africa’s victorious Toyota Junior Golf World Cup team in 2014 alongside Korn Ferry Tour winner and former world number one amateur Christo Lamprecht and Sunshine Tour champions Martin Vorster and Sam Simpson.
Ladies European Tour champion and Sunshine Ladies Tour Order of Merit winner Casandra Alexander, as well as Sunshine Ladies Tour winners Caitlyn Macnab, Danielle du Toit, Cara Gorlei and Kiera Floyd, all competed in Jakarta during their amateur careers.
Former SAGDB players Franklin Manchest, Kieron van Wyk and Cole Stevens also used the championship as a springboard to higher honours.
The Toyota Junior Golf World Cup will be played on the Ishino Course at Chukyo Golf Club in Japan, while the Ciputra Golfpreneur Junior World Championship will be contested at Damai Indah Golf’s Pantai Indah Kapuk Course in Jakarta, Indonesia.
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