A game with the pros: Meet local golfer

Young aspiring golfers need all the help they can get on their way to making it professionally.

That is why Bryanston Country Club will hold its third annual Palmer Trophy on 20 January, which will see junior golfers playing and interacting with professionals.

Local pro, Michael Palmer (29), after whom the event was named, explained that the club aims to continue building junior golf and uses the 18-hole event to also select the club’s three junior teams, even though visitors are also welcome to play.

The Stableford-format event only costs R50 to play. It includes lunch and will be followed by fun at the pool.

A number of local professionals will be playing with the juniors and then sharing their experience on golf at overseas colleges as well as on how to make it professionally.

Palmer, who won the KCB Karen Masters in Kenya last year, will be joined by Rhys West, Andrew Carlsson and other pros.

“When I was younger I wish I had known not to worry too much about handicaps, making scratch or being in a team,” Palmer said.

“That does not matter as much as learning how to play well. Juniors need to let things happen and be more concerned with just improving their game. I had to learn that when I was a pro.”

Palmer explained that many young players and amateurs try to turn professional too quickly, and should rather learn their game by spending more time playing on the amateur circuit first.

He said the event was the brainchild of general manager Paul Leishman and golf director Graeme Ronald and remains cheap thanks to a surplus of funds raised for golfers needing to attend qualification schools.

Bookings can be made at golfbookings@bryanstoncc.co.za or 011 706 1361.

Also read: Bryanston Country Club’s 17-year-old star is ready to represent SA at Youth Olympic Games 

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