IN 2006 Combrinck Smit became the youngest golfer in the then 100-year history of the eShowe Golf Club to win the Club Championship title at the age of 12.
Smit again won the title in 2007 before moving to Hoërskool Pionier, where he completed his schooling.
Since leaving eShowe, Smit has kept up his golf while mixing it with his studies at the University of Pretoria.
He has regulalry played for KZN and national teams in various age groups.
Smit is presently a member of the Silver Lakes Country Club in Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria, and turned professional after qualifying at the Qualifying School (QS) held from 13 to 17 March. Tough qualifying
Qualifying for a spot on the tour is not for sissies. The QS is the ultimate test for any golfer.
The week’s golf launches the select few to the top and breaks the spirit of those who do not make it.
This year the Sunshine Tour hosted two first stage qualifiers to determine the field that would target the 30 cards on offer for the 2017 season in the final, gruelling contest.
Of the 108 amateur entrants, top-ranked Aubrey Beckley, Jason Smith and Andre Nel received a free pass into the final stage at Randpark Golf Club.
Smit and fellow Golf RSA national squad members Herman Loubser, Luke Jerling, Andrew van der Knaap and Quintin Wilsenach had to tee off with 130 other hopefuls and navigate 162 holes to secure their privileges in the paid ranks this season.
Out of more than 300 hopefuls who started, only 34 names were added to the Sunshine Tour.
Sunshine Tour
Smit starts his Sunshine Tour with the Zimbabwe Open on 20 to 23 April at the Royal Harare Golf Club, before participating in the Zambia Sugar Open from 27 to 30 April at the Lusaka Golf Club.
There will definitely be a home crowd in eShowe watching his moves and egging him on to greater heights.
HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 072 069 4169 Instagram – zululand_observer
