Four South Africans to play Canadian Tournament
Four South Africans will be teeing up in the Barrett Amateur, announced the South African Golf Association (SAGA) today.
The 72 holes stroke play championship is to be played from 29 July to 1 August at the Algonquin Golf Course in St Andrews-by-the-sea, New Brunswick, Canada.
The four players are Dylan Frittelli (Gauteng North), Leon Knoll (Gauteng North), JG Claassen (North West Province) and Jake Redman (Southern Cape).
“As this is an individual event, players cannot receive Protea colours so they will represent SAGA,” explained Enver Hassen, President of the SAGA.
Last year three South Africans were invited. One of whom won the Barrett Amateur, namely Dylan Frittelli. The 19 year old Irene Country Club golfer, who is in his first year of a golf scholarship at the University of Texas, has been invited as the defending champion.
Frittelli has been in good form recently on the college circuit in the United States. In the last two weekends in June he finished 9th tie in the prestigious Monroe Invitational and 7th tie in the Northeast Amateur. In the first tournament mentioned, which was played at Pittsford in the state of New York, Frittelli recorded a disastrous 77, seven over par, in his second round and came back strongly with two 67s, three under par. His second round was telling if one considers Frittelli finished only five shots off the pace.
Leon Knoll, who is currently ranked the top amateur on the latest SAGA Player Rankings, joins Frittelli. This will be his first trip to Canada. The 18 year old Silver Lakes Country Club amateur won the Boland Open in May. He finished runner up in both the Western Province Stroke Play and Match Play.
Another exciting young player is 18 year old Orkney Golf Club member JG Claassen. He won the South African Amateur Stroke Play Championship in February, the next month won his home province, North West, Open and then a couple of weeks later won the Zimbabwe Amateur Stroke Play Championship in fine style. Ranked 83 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings, Claassen is the highest ranked South African participating in the Barrett Amateur.
The final member of the team is 22 year old Fancourt member, Jake Redman. Currently ranked fifth on the latest SAGA Player Rankings, Redman won the Kwazulu-Natal Open at San Lameer Country Club at the beginning of this year. He finished runner up in the EP Border Open in April. He recently campaigned in the United Kingdom, in the lead up to the Amateur Championship last month. His best result was in the Bidwells Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship, where he finished 11th. He will be hoping that his overseas experience will stand him in good stead in Canada.
Last year Frittelli beat Canadian David Markle by one shot in a 36 hole championship, recording a seven under par total of 136. The championship was to be decided over 54 holes but due to bad weather the second round was cancelled.
This year, the 9th year the Barrett Amateur is being staged, will be played over 72 holes for the first time.
The winner of the 2009 Barrett Amateur gains exemption into the 105th Canadian Amateur Championship taking place at Le Club de Golf Le Blainvillier in Quebec from 9 to 13 August 2009.