Two SAGDB youngsters to represent Boland u/12

Shane Ross and Trevor Thomas, two youngsters from the SA Golf Development Board programme in the Boland have been chosen to represent their province at an inter-provincial event to be held at Maccauvlei in early July.

Ross, who comes from Worcester, and Thomas, who lives in Atlantis, were selected based on their positions on the Boland’s u/12 order of merit. Both boys will have their first experience of flying when the team leaves from Cape Town airport for the event.

The SAGDB is working hard to create these kinds of opportunities for its players, and is excited that golf is continuing to provide new experiences for underprivileged youngsters.

“The two of them are overwhelmed,” says SAGDB development manager Andre Rossouw about the youngster’s anticipation for the tournament and their first flight. “They are looking forward to it, but are also a little bit scared because it’s a new experience.”

Rossouw says that the two youngsters will gain huge benefits from the chance to compete at this higher level. He says that once a player has competed at provincial level you can see the difference in the way he plays.

“They become much more aware of their standard of discipline and composure on the course,” he says. “They become leading figures for their peers and make them believe that they too can make it to the provincial side.”

Ross has been with the SAGDB since 2005 and Thomas started playing in 2000 when he was just 6 years old. Thomas first competed in SA Junior Golf Foundation tournaments in 2006 and has brought his handicap down from 24 to 18 in the past year. Ross is currently playing off a 20 handicap.

“This tournament will give them a chance to compete against their peers from different provinces,” Rossouw says. “This will give them an indication that they are just like their peers and all of them can play good golf.”

Rossouw believes that there are more good youngsters coming through the SAGDB’s coaching programme in the Boland. He hopes that the achievements of Ross and Thomas will help the others to believe in their potential and that even more players from the development programme will be representing their province in the near future.