Witpoortjie golfer crowned as SA Women’s Longdrive champion
She is currently ranked as number four in the world
After only six months, 25-year-old Cindy Dalton has ended her year as the South African women’s long drive champion, and is currently ranked fourth in the world.
Cindy started playing golf when she was 17 years old, and said, “I was a hockey player at school, but grew tired of all the injuries and decided to take up golf. I did quite well, and played in a few Junior Golf Foundation tournaments, played for the Central Gauteng Inter-Provincial team and also competed in the Sunshine Ladies Tour as an amateur.”
She added that she then decided that it was time for something new, and tried her hand at long drive. “I did not think that I would have the talent for this, but, when I picked up the golf club, I just knew that this is what I wanted to do,” she said.
Cindy said that she played in seven events that Quantum Long Drive South Africa held, and won four. “With this, I also qualified to compete in the World Long Drive Championships which took place in America, but, unfortunately, due to circumstances, I was not able to go. I did, however, get the opportunity to compete at the International Golf Associates New Zealand (IGANZ) Global Infinity Series which was held in China, where I just missed out on a victory in the semifinals. After this tournament, I am now ranked fourth in the world,” said Cindy.
She said that the opportunity to be able to compete on an international level was something she will never forget, “To have been able to test myself against players that have won the World Championships five times already, and see that I am just as good as they are, made me feel very positive about my future in the sport.”
Cindy’s coach, Louis le Roux, said that he was very pleased with the results, “We work as a team. I can only coach and teach her so much, if she does not go out and do what I taught her, then she will not be able to achieve the results. She works extremely hard, not only on the driving range, but in the gym as well, and it has now paid off.”
He added that he was excited to see what the next year has in store for them, because he believes that it can only get better.
Cindy’s goal is to compete in more International tournaments and championships next year, and to be able to reach a distance of 350 metres, something Louis is positive they will be able to reach, “Cindy has already reached a distance of 315,5 metres, and I know that, with hard work and practice, she will be able to reach this goal. She definitely has the potential for it.”
But, as is the case with many sporting codes, the lack of sponsorships and support is disheartening. “We try to keep my dream alive by participating in golf days, doing motivational speaking and so forth, but that is not always enough. A sponsorship (or two) would make a huge difference,” Cindy said.
To find out how you can help, send an email to Louis at louislerou@gmail.com.
To see what Cindy is up to, visit her Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/longdrivecindy) or her Instagram account (@cindy_dalton_)
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