Ballito golf champ represents SA Special Olympics Invitational World Golf Cup

Joshua Trollip has returned from Denmark with bragging rights and a huge smile.

The Ballito golf champ represented South Africa at the Special Olympics Invitational World Golf Cup earlier this month, achieving a respectable sixth place overall out of 21 golfers from around the globe.

Joshua was diagnosed with foetal alcohol syndrome when he was born at 34 weeks (‘I never give up’, Courier July 24).

The part of his brain that deals with figurative and abstract thought did not fully develop, but that does not get in his way on the golf course.

The usually shy 22-year-old was upbeat and talkative, casually saying Denmark was great, although he did get off to a slippery start.

“My luggage ended up in France, with my special rain suit. I am much taller than my team mates but we tried our best to share clothes. I was lashed by continuous rain during my first two days.” His father Graeme kept track of Joshua’s scores online.

“It was nerve wracking, but to watch Josh rise from the eight place he got last year, to sixth, was awesome. I am so proud!” Joshua’s uncle Barry, who doubles as his coach, is also ecstatic with his performance.

“His fundamentals are all there, all I do is tweak when we practice. Josh is brilliant although he can get impatient. If he does not get results quickly he gets bored and frustrated. Golf is a sport of patience and his swing will evolve, so we are working on his short game and teaching him patience.”

Barry and Graeme commented that the 1,9m golfer returned with the ability to whack the ball much farther.

“He will not tell us how or why, because we also want to try it! He swears he did not meet any pretty Denmark girls, though,” chuckled Graeme.

Joshua has also qualified to represent SA at the 2015 Special Olympic Summer Games, which will take place in Los Angeles in July next year. He hopes to bring home a gold medal.

“I am super excited. My dad and uncle can go to Vegas, I want to go to Hollywood!”