Junior golfer to represent SA at Youth Olympics
BRYANSTON - With multiple championship cups under her belt and being selected to represent South Africa at the Youth Olympics, Kaleigh Telfer has managed to impress at a young age.
The Bryanston Country Club golfer was selected as one of the South African Olympians who will represent the country, in golf, in China in August. This is the first time golf has been included in the Olympics.
Telfer, a 16-year-old pupil at St Peter’s College, explained that playing golf had always been a passion of hers since the tender age of six.
“I’ve always loved sports and participated in various sport activities at school, but I took up golf because I found it different and challenging,” she said.
She explained that it challenged her because it was a mental sport and more complex than people think, with the smallest of mistakes being costly.
Asked about being selected to represent the country in China, Telfer said she was happy as this was a privilege and an honour.
“I’m a bit nervous, but that’s a good thing as it will motivate me to do my best,” she said.
Telfer has had an impressive run as a junior golfer and has not only played well for the country club, but has also won three championship cups – the Mpumalanga Championship, the KwaZulu-Natal Junior Championship, both in 2013, and the 2014 Curro South Africa World Junior International.
Additionally, Telfer achieved a rare double at the country club as the first golfer to win the Ladies Club Championship and Junior Club Championship last year, making 2013 her best year.
Despite having bad moments throughout her run, Telfer explained that she has never wanted to quit the sport because she enjoys it.
“I do have bad moments, especially when I lose matches, but I pick myself up from it and continue playing,” she explained.
Telfer said she would like to continue playing golf professionally beyond high school, or become a golf instructor.
Telfer has been a member of the country club’s golf team since 2013 and has also featured in tournament matches for the club.
The Summer Youth Olympic Games will take place in Nanjing, China from 16-28 August, 2014 and will see South Africa compete in 14 of the 30 sporting events.
