Salt Rock resident drives historic tee-off at Olympics
He lives in Salt Rock, practices a lot at Umhlali Country Club and made an historic tee-off at the Olympics this morning.
Salt Rock resident and Brazilian native, Adilson da Silva made history when he was the first to tee off in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games golf competition today at 7.30am.
According to the Olympic News Service, Da Silva said: “It was a big surprise, I didn’t have any idea. I can’t say I won’t be nervous. For us to start golf again at home in the Olympics is something I could never imagine.”
Umhlali Country Club golf pro Derick Reinke said Da Silva was a regular on the course.
“He practices a lot at Umhlali Country Club.
“Adilson is disciplined and focused when practicing, but is also very friendly and approachable.
“He is down-to-earth and open to giving advice. He is also the most consistent player on the Sunshine Tour.”
Da Silva, a Brazilian professional golfer, currently plays on the Southern Africa-based Sunshine Tour, where he has won 12 times.
He was born in Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil but later moved to KwaZulu-Natal and currently stays in Salt Rock.
He turned professional in 1994 and won his first title on the tour in 1997 and has since added eight more tournament victories, and led the Vodacom Swing Challenge standings in 2006.
He holds the record for most consecutive cuts made on the Sunshine Tour with 43.
The last time golf was a part of the Olympic Games in 1904, Canadian George Lyon won the gold medal.
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