Fish River Success for Dylan

The annual Fish River Challenge is one of the most anticipated junior golf tournaments on the South African calendar. The event brings together the best u/12 and u/14 players from Western Province, Boland, Southern Cape, Eastern Province, Border and the Free State for three days of top competition.

This year, eleven players from the SA Golf Development Board (SAGDB) were chosen to represent their provinces at the event. The most encouraging performance was recorded by Boland player Dylan Jacobs, who finished 6th overall in u/12 competition. The youngster, who was also chosen as the captain of the Boland team, was just 17 over par after his 45 holes.

"His nine-hole scores were 40, 40, 40, 41 and 38, which is brilliant at his age," said the SAGDB's Boland manager Andre Rossouw. "He has really improved beyond our own expectations. He made us extremely proud."

Rossouw added that Dylan is so humble, that he didn't even mention his individual score when he first returned from the tournament. He simply said that he had been pleased to do well for the team, since he was the number one player and captain.

"He did tell us that because this was his second time at Fish River he now knew the course and he knew he could do better than last year." Rossouw said. "Now he wants to keep up this level of performance."

Dylan, who lives with his three brothers in Atlantis, has only been playing golf since the age of 10. The progress he has shown has been remarkable.

"I'm very excited to see what Dylan will achieve in his golfing career," said his coach Shaun Adriaanse. "He has the right attitude and mental approach on and off the golf course. He is hardworking and well disciplined."

Not only is Dylan enjoying success on the golf course, but his school work is also of a high standard. As a result, his school principal has become one of his biggest supporters.

Now he is aiming to make the u/14 Boland team and to keep performing well for his province.

About the SAGDB

Founded in 1999, the SA Golf Development Board (SAGDB) is the only body officially tasked with growing the game of golf in South Africa. The SAGDB is a non-profit organisation (with section 18A donations tax exemption status) and is fully endorsed by government and all of South Africa's official golfing bodies. Through its PGA-approved coaching programme, the board currently has the capacity to coach 3,500 children per week in ten regions. The SAGDB is sponsored by SAA, City Lodge, the Pro Shop and ProRange.