Josh strikes gold at Special Olympics

Umhlali Country Club’s Josh Trollip showed the world what South Africans are made off of when he took gold on the fairways and greens at the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games (SOWSG) held in Los Angeles, California, USA from July 25 to 31.

Adding his best ever four under par 33 on the front nine of his last round to two eagles in previous rounds, Trollip carded rounds of 74, 79, 72 and 72 in four rounds of stroke play medal competition to finish in gold medal position in his division and fourth overall.

With 6500 athletes and 2000 coaches representing 165 countries, plus another 30 000 volunteers and 500 000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games was said to be the largest sports and humanitarian event this year.

Trollip competed in level five for the least disabled athletes and played himself into division two during the first two divisional rounds of competition that determined which division level five golfers would compete in. A level five, division two or three player would however still be eligible for overall victory if he carded the lowest aggregate score over the four rounds of 18 holes. Such a player would, for example, then be divisional and overall champion.

The hard working 23-year-old improved on his performance four years ago in Athens, Greece, where he took gold the in level five, division three competition (one division lower than this year) and finished eighth overall.

“I knew what to expect and focused on the process and not the score. My swing was there and I played my own game, relaxed and had fun,” said Trollip whose short game was particularly hot that week.

He said he took it easy, sacrificing distance for accuracy.

The heat on the Griffiths Park course claimed the scalp of South Africa’s top ranked contender, who suffered heat stroke and was forced to abandon play. Fortunately Trollip had a few tricks up his sleeve to deal with the hot Los Angeles Sun.

“I stayed cool in the 36 degree Celsius heat, drinking a lot of cold water and sheltering myself from the sun with my umbrella,” he said.

Trollip’s father, Graeme, is very proud of his son and has high hopes for him to go one better in four years at the next SOWSG and win the overall competition.

Josh’s next big quest will be the 2017 World Championships as well as ad hoc international invitationals between now and then.

His performance in Los Angeles saw his handicap cut from 10 to six and his coach, Durban Country Club’s Don Gammon, wants to see Josh cut down to a one or two handicap and play KZN able bodied golf. Josh and his father believe he can do it and are ready for the challenge.