Sheppie golfer Jaco in ‘The Open’
Jaco honed his skills at the Port Shepstone Country Club at an early age.
PORT Shepstone Country Club golfers will be glued to their TV screens next week to watch ‘homeboy’ Jaco van Zyl (36) who has earned a coveted spot in the field for the ‘Open’ Championship at St Andrews.
This after the former PSCC member came third in the French Open on Sunday, earning R2.6million.
His close mate, Sheppie pro Jess Verster, has been battling for days to get through to Jaco to congratulate him.
“No doubt his phone has been ringing off the hook,” said Jess, “but I won’t give up trying.”
Jaco was leading the French Open after day three, but slipped on the final day with a 73. Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger shot a fantastic 65 to win, followed by England’s James Morrison.
But it was good enough to earn a place in ‘The Open’. Jaco now joins nine other South Africans in what is arguably the most prestigious golf tournament in the world.
Jaco and Jess have been close friends for years and were the number one pairing in the KZN amateur team ‘back in the day’.
“He went on to become a Springbok and then turned professional, winning 13 times on the Sunshine Tour,” said Jess, who eagerly follows him around the Wild Coast course whenever Jaco plays there.
“The only time I can remember ever beating Jaco – as well as fellow professional, Garth Mulroy – was in a play-off in the Umkomaas Open many years ago.”
Jaco honed his skills at the Port Shepstone Country Club at an early age before his parents moved to Kokstad.
Unfortunately, Jaco was beset with injuries for much of his professional career and was sidelined last year after four operations to repair ligament damage to both knees.
But he is obviously fighting fit again, after last weekend’s performance, and every Sheppie player will be rooting for him as he takes on the world’s best at the ‘home of golf’ (St Andrews), starting next Thursday.
