Rising Ballito golf talents Harry Clayton and Matthew Gouws will represent KwaZulu-Natal in a bid for inter-provincial glory next month.

The duo were both selected to the men’s senior team that will travel to compete against some of the country’s best amateurs at Maccauvlei Golf Club in Vereeniging from April 13-17.

Kearsney College Grade 11 pupil Clayton (16) has enjoyed a standout start to 2026. He claimed the KZN Closed Golf Championships at Victoria Country Club in February, before adding the KZN High Schools Championships at Umhlali Country Club on March 2.

“It was my last Nomads tournament playing for Kearsney,” said Clayton.

“It was a tough day, conditions were bad, but I kept going and ended up getting the win.”

After missing out on provincial selection last year, earning a call-up was particularly rewarding.

“It was tough not getting selected. But it gave me extra motivation to play well this year,” he said.

He credited coach Blanche Lamprecht for helping him rebuild his confidence and form over the past year.

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Gouws, who matriculated from Kearsney last year and will head to the United States in August on a golf scholarship to Point University in Georgia, has also shown impressive consistency.

He finished tied-third at the KZN Closed, just one shot behind Clayton, before securing a podium finish at the SA Juniors International at Rondebosch Golf Club on March 5.

“It was a good week; I played well,” said Gouws.

“I got off to a bad start and struggled at the end, but I fought back.”

The 18-year-old also cited good preparation with his coach as a factor in recent success.

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“I practice twice a week with Shaun Coetzee, and I work out in the gym, which has also helped me improve,” he said.

Gouws, who has previously represented KZN at three junior IPTs, said the team environment is what he enjoys most.

“It feels good to make the men’s team and finally play with the best players in the province. Being in a team environment is special in golf because it doesn’t happen often.”

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