Jay-Jay has his day in SA Stroke Play

Jay-Jay Botha rom De Zalze Golf Club didn’t make the qualifier for the 2016 SA Stroke Play Championship, but he did make the reserve list and wasn’t going to waste the opportunity.

Although there was no guarantee that he would get a start in the field at Blue Valley Golf and Country Club on Tuesday, the Boland golfer nevertheless made the trip to Midrand and played a practice round at the Gary Player championship design on Monday..

“You can’t win the Lotto if you don’t have a ticket,” Botha told his folks and a golfing god somewhere must have heard his optimism and smiled on Botha.

The hearing impaired amateur was absolutely thrilled when he got his berth after Richard Joubert withdrew. He was even more stoked when he lined up alongside 2015 Sanlam SA Amateur Championship finalist Jovan Rebula and English Men’s Amateur- Stroke Play runner-up Alfie Plant.

And not even an opening 85 could dampen his delight.

“I know people thought I was nuts to travel all the way from the Cape with almost no chance of making it, but for me it was worth it,” Botha said.

“I really feel like I’ve won the Lotto, because the SA Stroke Play is such a prestigious tournament and I’m just over the moon to have the chance to compete.”