Ganas set to tee-off at World Amateur Golf champs
Umkomaas golfer, Ganas Naicker (52) will represent the region when he tees off with over 300 players from more than 25 countries at the World Amateur Golf Championships as part of Team SA this month.
“I was trembling and in tears when I was selected to play for Team SA,” said Ganas. “It was by far my best achievement in golf to date.”
This was Ganas’ first selection to represent SA and the province.
His selection came about after he finished second in the 16 to 20 handicap category during the qualifying rounds at Cotswold Downs and Durban Country Club in September. “I felt relieved to finish second as I had played six practise rounds on those two courses. My heart skipped many beats, but I was extremely happy at the end.”
Ganas was born in Umkomaas and matriculated at Naidoo Memorial Roseneath School. He started playing golf in 1999 and became a member of Umkomaas Golf Club the following year. “I had a severe gambling problem with horse racing and casinos. Since I took up golf, I have stopped gambling, except for an occasional bet on the Durban July.
I have always played a reasonably steady game of golf, but was a bit poor in putting. I have won many competitions many times, including three trips to Sun City, a Golf Digest competition, two trips to Pearl Valley, and Champagne Sports in the Golf Digest mid amateur champs, a trip to Arabella in the Compleat Golfer tournament and I won the M-Net Cares finals at Randpark last year. My favourite courses are the Al Baddai Four Seasons in Dubai and Pinnacle Point in Knysna.”
Local knowledge will stand him in good stead as the champs will be played at Durban Country Club, Cotswold Downs, Umhlali and Prince’s Grant. Ganas will get his eye in over two practise days on 27 and 28 October and the champs get underway on 29 October, one course per day, over four consecutive days. “I should do reasonably well at the world champs as I know the courses well. I have already played practise rounds on all four.
My advice to budding golfers is to have fun first. Winning is only a bonus. Playing golf is a stress reliever, so play accordingly. Enjoy it and make new friends. I have made hundreds of friends through golf.”
