Bronkhorstspruit’s small golf star clinches title as junior champion at Silver Lakes
“I most certainly see him as a professional player at the age of 20,” says caddie.
Vezu Ngcobo, the eight-year-old golf wunderkind from Bronkhorstspruit, is now the junior champion of the Silver Lakes Golf Club in Pretoria.
He competed in the U/13 club championship called the Brigitte Champs, against 62 other juniors on February 27 and 28, and was honoured during an award ceremony on Sunday, March 13.
There were three categories in which players of all ages were awarded trophies
Known as Lion of Africa on the golf course, Vezu’s character and heart speak for themselves.
“I see the course as the kingdom and I need to roar at every tournament,” said Vezu.
Vezu is in his element when he can hit some balls and his ability to read the court is exceptional.
His sportsmanship exceeds his age and his humility and inborn hunger for the game are visible in every interview and tournament.
His caddie, Daniel Mosebi, has been alongside him for four years and met him as a youngster who showed interest in golf.
“When he hit that very first ball, I saw the boy was good and I most certainly see him as a professional player at the age of 20. He has so much talent. Now we are working on his swing to nurture him even more.”
Roelof Gregg, a young golfer who is number one in South Africa for the U/15 boys, speaks highly of Vezu.
“I have played with him in social rounds a few times and everything about his game is good. He is going to be a great player. He’s got a great attitude and he has a passion. He is hitting great shots. He should just keep on playing.”
Yul Gouws, the spokesman for Farm In Hotel who sponsors Vezu, is pleasantly surprised by the gem they found by investing in Vezu and supporting him along the way.
“We have been looking locally for guys to become the face of young talent.
“Vezu is easy to talk to and he is a natural. You can see he wants this and that is a big deal for us. He just wants to get on the driving range and hit as many balls as he can.
“His burning passion is sort of a healthy obsession and he speaks to what we are all about. We are just glad that he has taken this chance seriously. It has been trophies upon trophies ever since.
“He is blowing us out of the water with his humility and passion that is his driving factor. He has got the desire and have it in himself,” said Gouws.
“We just want to be in the background and almost just facilitate him in giving him a platform.
“He has that x-factor and always keeps on playing. He closes off every game.
“If he could have a tent here, he would live on the golf course. I don’t even think we are prepared for how excited we are about his future.”
His manager and brand manager, Thaba Nyaba, wants Vezu to branch out into different segments to be represented by getting brand endorsements and being the face of adverts alongside showcasing his golfing career.
“He understands that he needs to glorify God and that he is just a vessel. I see him changing the game within the golfing industry and see him open academies in the future,” said Nyaba.
“He is like a gate opener with many aspiring things. He is so fresh-minded with no limits.
“Vezu is dedicated and consistent,” added Nyaba.
