GolfRSA rising stars named for international stage

3 May 2024 – GolfRSA takes pleasure in announcing 10 promising young golfing talents who have been selected to fly the flag for South Africa in two prestigious international events for the world’s leading junior golfers in June.

Charl Barnard, Dylan Kayne, Zané Kleynhans, Pearce Lewin, Kesha Louw and Gia Raad will represent South Africa in the 30th Toyota Junior Golf World Cup 18-21 June in Japan, while Ellandri van Heerden, Gabriel Malgas, Josh Daniels and Lisa Coetzer will compete in the Ciputra Golfpreneur Junior World Championship from 12 – 14 June in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Southern Cape Golf Union Director of Golf Heinrich will manage the Boys Team, and Womens Golf South Africa Vice-President Madeleine de Wet the Girls Team in Japan. Susan Andrew, the President of Womens Golf South Africa, will accompany the four juniors travelling to Indonesia.

“Competing abroad is such an important component of junior golf development and we are proud to give these young amateurs the opportunity to test themselves against the best juniors in the world, to gain experience in world-class events and to enjoy the exposure to new cultures. These juniors have all shown immense promise, and we are confident that they will embrace this opportunity and do their best to do South Africa proud,” said GolfRSA CEO and South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) Managing Director Grant Hepburn.

The six amateurs heading to Japan were members of the South African Boys and Girls teams who celebrated a double victory in the All Africa Junior Team Championships, hosted by South Africa at the Benoni Country Club at the end of April.

Reigning Nomads SA Boys U-19 Match Play champion Barnard, 2024 SA Women’s Amateur winner Raad, Kayne, Lewin and Louw will be making their debut in the top-ranked event that annually attracts the leading juniors from around 20 countries worldwide, while Kleynhans will make her second appearance.

“Congratulations to the SA Junior Boys and Girls Teams for their well-deserved selection. Your outstanding performance at the All Africa Junior Team Championship upheld South Africa’s esteemed legacy in this tournament and each of you has proven worthy of the chance to challenge yourselves on the global platform, facing formidable competition. While it presents a challenging journey, we have full confidence in your readiness to excel,” remarked Deon Nel, President of The South African Golf Association.

Van Heerden, Malgas and Daniels will also be making their international debut in Indonesia. Reigning Nomads SA Girls Rose Bowl champion Coetzer returns to Jakarta, aiming to improve on a fifth-place finish in the Girls 12-14 age category last year.

Van Heerden and Daniels, winner of the 2024 South African International Juniors, will compete in the 15-18 age group, while Malgas and Coetzer will line up in the 12-14 age group. They will also compete as teams in the Girls and Boys Divisions.

“Since our first participation in the Ciputra Golfpreneur Junior World Championship, we have witnessed the positive impact of this event on the careers of many of our juniors,” said Womens Golf South Africa President Susan Andrew.

“Players like Casandra Hall, Danielle du Toit, Cara Gorlei Kaleigh Telfer, Kiera Floyd, Franklin Manchest and Steven le Roux have excelled in the pro ranks, while others like Caitlyn Macnab, Megan Streicher and SAGDB stars like Kieron van Wyk and Cole Stevens have excelled on the US Collegiate circuit.

“With more than 140 participants from across Asia and as far afield as the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, this event presents an exhilarating avenue for our junior players’ development. We’re thrilled to offer Ellandri, Lisa, Josh, and Gabriel the opportunity to immerse themselves in this enriching experience.”

The Toyota Junior Golf World Cup will be played on the Ishino Course at the Chukyo Golf Club, and the Ciputra Golfpreneur Junior World Championship at the Pantai Indah Kapuk of the Damai Indah Golf and Country Club.