Opportunity knocks for young (and older) golfers in 2020
Who is on the radar to break through into the team?
IT’S almost time for the start of a new cycle in golf for KwaZulu-Natal.
The past few years have seen most of the top players head off into the pro or semi-pro ranks.
This includes the likes of Malcolm Mitchell, Louis Albertse, Clayton Mansfield, Luke Mayo, Matt Saulez and Byron Coetzee.
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Their results have varied, showing just how tough it is to make it at this level.
A group of hopefuls will be trying their hand at Q-school next year, including probably Greg McKay, Jason Gilliver and one or two others like Sebastian Terblanche.
So where does leave KZN golf looking ahead to 2020?
Gavin Sole remains the glue, even as he approaches an age where he can play for the seniors.
His game is still very much at a level where he easily makes the team on merit.
In fact, it’s become said that if the young guys can’t beat the Big Fish they should perhaps not consider turning professional.
In some ways, it’s a pity he never did turn pro, or at the very least have a go at it.
He has long ago made peace with his decision, and while he still remains ultra competitive, he enjoys the home-based lifestyle that a touring pro does not necessarily have.
Derek Scullard, arguably the most talented player in the province, has had some injury issues and has taken, it seems a little break from tournament golf.
Tom Lovett played in three IPTs this year – country districts, men’s and mid-amateurs, so there’s no doubt the competitive fires still burn bright there.
The Broomhead brothers will probably still be around, and will hopefully continue to blend tournament golf with their studies.
Siyanda Mwandla may take the teaching pro route, or something similar, although that’s not yet certain.
Who is on the radar to break through into the team?
The most obvious talent is Nikhil Gopal, but it looks for all intents and purposes that he will be going to a college in the USA come August next year.
Other than Sole and Lovett, there is no one really in the mid-amateur ranks trying to make the men’s team, with ‘Scully’ on sabbatical.
The country districts could provide a good route for some emerging talent to gain IPT experience, with a bunch of new youngsters coming through these sub-unions.
Kyle Kistensamy (Prince’s Grant), who’s playing some great golf at the moment, is another who will be an important player for the province in the new year.
Carel du Plessis (Gowrie Farm) is another exciting prospect. He reminds one of Matt Saulez – tall, thin, unfailingly polite and well-mannered and who launches the ball ridiculous distances with seemingly no effort.
Cubitt twins Jack and Luke (Umdoni Park) and their good mate Mitch Hampson are all in matric next year (at Westville Boy’s High).
They will be playing for the KZN juniors this year, but tournaments like Interzone could set them up for SACD selection and who knows what after that.
Seasoned campaigners like Corné van Deventer, Jens Hillermann, Koenie Erasmus, Ryno Crous and Graham Fabricius are all still around.
Sean Baker has now taken up membership at Oubaai in George and so won’t be eligible for selection for KZN any longer.
Former KZN players Leorin Pillay and Darren Gerrard are back as amateurs, but it remains to be seen how much tournament golf they’ll play, if any.
Among the juniors, Nathan Trodd, Cade Cryer and a few others are all trying to make a name for themselves while other youngsters like Dylan Underwood and Ryan Welsh are gaining in consistency.
What is for sure though, is that opportunity knocks.
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