SAGA team for Canadian event announced

The South African Golf Association (SAGA) announced a team of three players to compete in the Barrett Amateur Championship, a 54 hole stroke play competition taking place from 2 to 4 August over the Algonquin Golf Course in St Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada.

The team is Cameron Johnston (Western Province), Dylan Frittelli (Gauteng North) and Jacques Blaauw (Boland).

“We received an invitation from the New Brunswick Golf Association to compete in this competition, which we have gratefully accepted,” explained Neale Kunhardt, the SAGA President.

On the team, Kunhardt said that Johnston was selected on the basis of his current form, while Frittelli, who missed out on the French Test Match due to exams, has been included. Blaauw, as current SA Stroke Play and Glacier SA Amateur Champion makes up the final player in the team.

Cameron Johnston, 37 years old and plays out of Milnerton Golf Club, has shown good form of late. He has recorded wins in the SA Mid Amateur Championship, Cape Province Open and the 72 hole Western Province Open Qualifier. “You know, I really want to do it, I am practicing hard, being more professional about it and enjoying it,” is how Johnston explained the reason for his upturn in form. “I am really excited about being selected, especially as it is a strong side,” said the likeable Capetonian.

“Apparently we don’t receive Protea colours which I would really like to get before going to the Sunshine Tour’s November Tour School,” said Johnston.

“Protea colours are only given to players representing South Africa in a team competition,” explained Kunhardt. “The Barrett Amateur Championship is an individual event, these players will represent the SAGA. The criteria for Protea colours is determined by the Department of Sport and Recreation, to which the SAGA abides,” concluded the SAGA President.

Jacques Blaauw, 22 year old Paarl Golf Club member, is currently campaigning overseas with some degree of success. He has played in four stroke play competitions, making two cuts, his best finishing being 5th place in the Welsh Amateur Open Stroke Play Championship.

“I have never played in Canada before,” said an excited Dylan Frittelli. The 18 year old Irene Golf Club member, who is the current SA Boys U18 Champion, has been given a golf scholarship at the University of Texas, in Austen, Texas, commencing towards the end of August. “I will have to go straight to Texas after this competition,” he joked. Frittelli, who is currently the country’s top ranked amateur according to the latest SAGA Player Rankings, will be looking for a good finish in order to secure himself a spot in the SAGA’s three man World Amateur Team Championship team, which should be announced not long after the conclusion of the Barrett Amateur Championship.

The winner of this event, which is an international invitational championship, will gain an exemption into the 2008 Canadian Amateur Championship being played, from 10 to 14 August, at the Paradise Canyon Golf Resort, Lethbridge, Alberta. The Championship also carries World Amateur Golf Ranking points.