Eight things I’d like to see in 2020

In no particular order here are some things I’d like to see in the coming year.

1. A South African to win a Major again. The last one was Ernie Els at The Open in 2012 and even the Big Easy admitted Adam Scott gifted it to him.

That’s too long ago, come on. The new crop of Americans look very good, as do some of the internationals and Europeans, so if not Louis Oosthuizen (who looks our most likely winner) then Rory McIlroy, preferably at Augusta.

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And okay, Tiger. Just for the excitement.

I’ve got a ‘bet’ going with a friend that Dylan Frittelli will be the next South African to win one of golf’s big four.

Perhaps the PGA – the one tournament no South African has won except for Gary Player.

2. KZN to win the South African IPT unbeaten and gain promotion back into the A section where they belong.

This would be fitting as it’s at San Lameer Country Club in long-time captain Gavin Sole’s back yard.

It could be the Big Fish’s last main IPT. For the 12th or 13th time. “Definitely my last,” he said in 2006, and has been saying so ever since.

3. A win for the KwaZulu-Natal seniors at the IPT in April. We’ve never done it before but with some new ‘youngsters’, including the likes of Murray Gilson, it’s possible.

KZN has come close before, but it’s a tough one to win, with the depth that some of the big city provinces have at their disposal.

4. Liverpool to win the premier league.

I know it’s not golf related but there are a number of Reds fans I know of who have suffered long – very long – waiting for this to happen.

These include Jared Harvey, Derek Scullard, Jarrod Northcote, Elton James, Brian Dougherty, among others.

Of course there are some who don’t want this happen!

5. All children of members of golf clubs to be given something similar to an annual playing card – ie: the juniors can play as much golf as they want for free.

They pay annual subs but green fees would be waived. But the mom or dad or both must be full members.

There might be clubs already doing something similar and that’s great. The idea is to get more kids on the golf course without hurting the wallet too much.

6. A tie at the Ryder Cup.

There’s nothing better than watching it all go down to the very last putt. It will be held at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin from September 25 to 27.

Team Europe won the last one 17,5-10,5 at Le Golf National in France, despite my certainty that USA would win comfortably.

Traditionally I’ve supported Europe, but it’s (almost) become one-sided, so a tight, noisy, drama-filled three days would be great.

The time difference is eight hours so shouldn’t be too bad for TV viewing, as opposed to when it’s on the west coast.

7. The Proteas to win the T20 World Cup in Australia at the end of 2020.

If Mark Boucher is still coach, and judging by his great start, then it’s more than possible. He’s a keen golfer too, currently possessing a handicap index of 4.

His long-time cricket mate Jacques Kallis will hopefully have transformed the batting, both red and white ball. He’s off a 0.4.

Boucher and Kallis are both members at Westlake Golf Club in the Cape.

While on the subject of cricket, what is the likelihood of AB de Villiers making a comeback, at least for the T20 World Cup?

He’s a keen golfer, too – a member at Waterkloof Golf Club, playing off a 1.8.

8. One of our up-and-coming youngsters to win a national GolfRSA tournament. The likes of Nikhil Gopal, Kyle Kistensamy and Jono Broomhead are all capable.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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