GolfRSA National Squad for 2018 unveiled

19 February 2018 – GolfRSA has named 19 players to the GolfRSA National Squad for 2018/19, with five new faces joining the band of the best and most promising open amateur and junior golfers in the country.

Three-time Ekurhuleni Open winner Malcolm Mitchell and reigning Southern Cape Open champion Deon Germishuys, alongside Clayton Mansfield, Therion Nel and Nash de Klerk, have been selected to join the national squad, which is aimed at preparing its members to perform at the highest level in amateur golf and beyond.

GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn said the GolfRSA team was looking forward working with South Africa’s young golfing talent this year.

“We are excited to welcome the six new members that have earned the opportunity to benefit from the GolfRSA National Squad system,” said Hepburn. “The programme is aimed at giving the athletes the best opportunities and resources to fully develop their potential.

“Our members have demonstrated commitment to the continued advancement in all aspects of their game, including technical, physical and mental. We are excited to see how our new members will benefit from the programme.”

Thanks to a generous R10-million donation from GolfRSA Chairman of the Board Johann Rupert, the squad was launched in 2015 and members have been achieving exceptional results since.

No fewer than four members won as amateurs on the Big Easy Tour, the development circuit for the Sunshine Tour, and have successfully transcended to the pro ranks.

Last year Garrick Higgo, Christo Lamprecht, Luca Filippi and Jayden Schaper achieved South Africa’s 19th consecutive victory in the All-Africa Junior Golf Championship.

“The same quartet also qualified on their World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) for the International Team and represented South Africa with honour in the first Junior Presidents Cup, where they contributed four of the team’s 10-point tally,” said Hepburn.

“Jayden became the first junior to win all four Nomads SA Boys Championships. He rose to number one in the South African Golf Association (SAGA) Junior Rankings, while Christo became the youngest winner in the history of the Sanlam SA Amateur Championship.

“Wilco enjoyed an exceptional season in 2017, winning three times on the Open Amateur circuit and scoring seven junior victories, including three titles on the Global Junior Golf Tour. He rose to number one in the South African Golf Association (SAGA) Open Amateur Rankings following a third place finish in the recent South African Stroke Play Championship.

“And Martin won the Nomads South African Boys Under-15 Championship and celebrated his first international success in the Reply Italian U-16 Championship.”

Former SAGA number one Higgo rocketed to 157th in the WAGR on the back of an outstanding season. Among his many highlights was reaching the semi-final of the US Junior Amateur.

Matt Saulez and Mitchell – respectively ranked second and fourth on the SAGA Open Amateur Rankings – both recorded top five finishes in two top-rated events in Argentina in December. The duo also combined with Higgo and Clayton Mansfield to seal South Africa’s eighth successive victory in the All-Africa Golf Team Championship.

“Kyle McClatchie is the most recent member to join the pro ranks,” said Hepburn.

“Following his victory in the English Mens Stroke Play Championship last year, he finished the season as South Africa’s leading amateur in the WAGR. In January, he won the Freddie Tait Trophy with a tie for 15th in the BMW SA Open and turned professional. He tied for 13th in his first two starts on the Sunshine Tour – the Eye of Africa PGA Championship and Dimension Data Pro-Am.

“South Africa has a long history of producing world-class golfers and the national squad system will provide a valuable platform for South Africa’s talented young golfers to further develop their skills. Many will go on to represent the country on the world stage, as amateurs and professionals.

“Players on the fringe of selection to the national squad will also benefit from squad funding via their provincial unions, and will be closely monitored. These players will have a chance to play their way into the squad through good performances.”

2018/19 GolfRSA National Squad
(Name followed by age and Golf Union)

Nash de Klerk (14, Ekurhuleni)
Luca Filippi (18, Western Province)
Deon Germishuys (18, Western Province)
Garrick Higgo (18, Boland)
Casey Jarvis (14, Ekurhuleni)
Christo Lamprecht (17, Southern Cape)
Carl Mwale (15, Central Gauteng)
Dylan Naidoo (19, Central Gauteng)
Therion Nel (20, Free State)
Wilco Nienaber (17, Free State)
Clayton Mansfield (23, KwaZulu-Natal)
Malcolm Mitchell (23, KwaZulu-Natal)
Yurav Premlall (14, Ekurhuleni)
Jovan Rebula (20, Southern Cape)
Matt Saulez (21, KwaZulu-Natal)
Jayden Schaper (16, Ekurhuleni)
Cole Stevens (16, Central Gauteng)
Kieron van Wyk (16, Central Gauteng)
Martin Vorster (16, Southern Cape)

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Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of GolfRSA, a SAGA and WGSA Not-For-Profit company.