A hole in one for SA Open history
“When Els came up to me I was so shocked I did not expect it at all, but it just goes to show what a good role model and ambassador for golf he is.”
Glendower Golf Club member, Yurav Premlall, recently competed in the SA Open Championship where he was the youngest amateur golfer to compete in the championship.
The 15-year-old Edenglen resident competed in the tournament between December 6 and 9 in Randpark on the Firethorn and Bushwillow courses.
He is the youngest golfer to compete in the SA Open since Phil Jonas competed in 1977.
He qualified for the tournament on December 4.
Premlall said when he competed in the qualifiers it had not crossed his mind that he may be the youngest golfer at the qualifiers.
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“I was just focused on making it into the championship. It is something that most young South African golfers dream of.”
“I wasn’t nervous for the qualifier. It was a one round event so I played it like I would have played a normal game.”
“In the months leading up to the qualifier and championship, I was playing well so I just decided to keep on playing the way I was and only improve some of the technical aspects of my game.”
Premlall said when he was announced as one of the amateurs who would play in the open he was really happy.
“It was one the best experiences I have ever had. I played alongside professional golfers and sportsmen whom I had seen on TV while growing up.”
Premlall said he warmed up for the championship next to Brandon Grace.
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“While warming up Ernie Els came up to me and some of the other amateur golfers and congratulated us on our achievement.”
“When Els came up to me I was so shocked I did not expect it at all, but it just goes to show what a good role model and ambassador for golf he is.”
During the championship, Premlall said he competed against seven other amateurs all of whom were good golfers.
He tied for 43rd position overall out of 240 golfers from across the world.
“Although I wasn’t that nervous for the championship it was different and a little difficult,” said Premlall.
He said on the first day of the championship he had a rough start.
“I the think the combination of so many people being there, the status of the championship and the layout of the course had an impact.”
However, as the tournament went on Premlall gained confidence as he learned the layout of the course.
After his success at the SA Open, Premlall went onto compete in the Joburg Junior Open on Thursday and Friday and represented the City of Ekurhuleni at the u-19 Inter Provincial Tournament between December 17 and 21.
Premlall said looking to the future he hopes to obtain his national colours for golf by the end of 2019.
“To get my green blazer would be such a prestigious achievement, it would give them the opportunity to represent South Africa on an international level.”
