When young Thabiso Magwaza grasped the men’s championship trophy at Umhlali Country Club on Sunday, it was a double delight – for him and for a passionate group of Umhlali golfers.

Competing in the annual competition at the weekend, he shot 76 on Saturday to secure himself a place in the final fourball of Koenie Erasmus (who was tied with him after the first day), Daniel Khaba and Eric Jarvie.

The 23-year-old trainee greenkeeper at UCC shot 71 on Sunday, ensuring himself the men’s championship trophy for the second time.

He previously won in 2016.

Thabiso first picked up a golf club as a 6-year-old when he joined the UCC junior golf academy back in 2003, and has not looked back.

The academy was the brainchild of then golf committee members Gary Birnie and Njagi Makanga, and put into practice with the help of the club teaching professional, Aileen Wilkes, and donations of clubs by the golf society, Nomads, clothing by Vaughn MacDonnell of Fairway Clothing and many other club members.

At its height the academy has trained up to 40 aspiring golfers at a time, many of whom can be seen working or playing at local golf courses.

The Ballito resident has been a member of the Ernie Els Foundation since 2017 and is currently studying green keeping.

His hero is Ernie Els and he dreams of one day turning professional.