Ivanna is a brilliant golfer
RUIMSIG – Samu will compete in various tournaments in Sweden, Scotland, England and the United States of America.
South African Junior Golfer of the Year 2014/15 Ivanna Samu has accomplished overwhelming achievements ever since she started playing golf at the age of 10.
Samu (16) from Allen’s Nek holds the number one position in Women’s Golf South Africa in both junior and senior rankings, ninth Toyota World Junior Cup and fourth place Longest Drive contest – both 72 hole championships.
This champion and member of Ruimsig Country Club had won the SA Amateur Stroke Play Championships, Ackerman Championships, T1 Nomads SA Girls Championships, Natal Junior Championships, North West Amateur Champions and Gauteng 52 Hole Championship.
It all started at home when she regularly followed her father at his driving range. “My brother plays golf as well, always wanted to do what they were doing. At the age of 11, I started playing at the Central Gauteng Golf Union Tournament,” she explained.
She was then selected to play for the U12 and her golf career started to flourish in full swing. “I won my first Ladies Club Championship here at Ruimsig at the age of 12,” she said.
Ever since then, she has won the Club Championship for five consecutive years. She will be leaving to compete in Sweden, Scotland, England and the United State of America.
“Just want to thank Women’s Golf South Africa for giving us an opportunity and my coach Graeme Francis from the GFG Academy, he gives me a lot of mental strength,” she elaborated.
Samu hopes to play on a professional tour and continue to pursue her passion professionally. “Ruimsig Country Club is very supportive, this is like my family. I’ve been here since I started playing golf – this is like my second home,” she reckoned.
She spent at least 50 hours a week on average, training physically and psychologically to strengthen her morale. “It is not just talent, it is also about how hard you work and the hours you put in also determines your performance,” she indicated.
She concluded that most people think that she is naturally talented, however, it comes with the effort she regularly adds to her talent.
“Once you feel that your fitness is strong, you just get more excited because you feel that you can last throughout the number of holes you are playing in the tournament,” she said.
Details: Ruimsig Country Club 011 958 1905.
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