Toti learner competes in international golf tournaments

Amanzimtoti junior golfing sensation Dian Wilmot has returned from an eye-opening tour of America. The Kuswag Skool Grade 8 learner putted his way in two international tournaments in California – the three-day IMG Academy Junior Golf World Championships that took place at the Omni La Coste course in Calsbad from 8 to 12 July and the Future Champions Golf Calloway World Championships at The Westin Mission Hills from 15 to 17 July.

The IMG event boasted a field of about 1 200 boys and girls from the ages of six to 18 from around the world. In Dian’s age group, 13 to 14-years-old, there were 183 boys competing. The format was medal, with no handicap. “The first tournament wasn’t so good. I finished 112th. We played off the pro tees. I played well, but the course was just too long for me.”

Dian was accompanied by his father Karel, who was not allowed within 50m of his son, to offer any encouragement or advice, and the boys were not allowed any caddies. “The course was good and the greens were much faster than I’m used to at Selborne. I’ve never seen such white sand. I played in a three-ball, but none of the players talk to each other. My last day was the best.” Dian’s score card read 81, 80 and 80, showing remarkable consistency on an unfamiliar course.

Before heading to the Future Champs, Karel and Dian got to team up for a father-and-son day at a Gary Player course in Miss Hills on 13 July. “It was a full scramble 70 and we shot a two under to finish fifth out of 32 teams,” said a delighted Karel.

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“Then it was into the heat of Palm Springs Desert where the Callaway World Champs was contested over three blisteringly hot days, with the mercury hitting 47 to 48 degrees. “This tournament was way better. It was a shorter course, so more suited to me. The first day I shot a two under, which gave me confidence going into the second day. I shot a 79 and repeated that on the third day. I think I dropped a bit in the last two days, because five days in that heat took its toll on me,” said Dian, who finished a creditable 42nd out of 183.

The young golfer did extremely well considering his competition are either home schooled to focus on their golf every day or they are enrolled in golf school, where they play every day. Just to make the cut for either tournament is applaudable and past Future Champ winners are Tiger Woods (1991), Jason Day (2004), Dylan Frittelli (2007) and SA’s Dale Hayes, who won it back in 1969.

Dian took up golf at the age of 10 when Karel, himself a keen golfer, bought him a set of clubs for Christmas. “I’ve always played rugby and cricket, so I gave it a go and my dad was so impressed, he took me to the pro at Amanzimtoti Country Club, David Graham, for an assessment. David has been my coach ever since. I would love to be a scratch golfer (zero on any course), but I still love my rugby and cricket.”

Dian is now focussed on the Junior African Open taking place at San Lameer from 26 to 29 August. “This is the fourth year I’m competing and it was the first and second biggest ever tournament I had competed in. I have finished 17th, 13th and eighth out of 40 players in my age group, so I’m targeting top five this year.” Dian will also putt for the KZN team at the Bokkie Week taking place in Vereeniging in September, where he helped his province finish second last year.

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