FELIXTON College’s golf prodigy Megan Joubert recently finished third in the girls U9 section of the South African Kids Junior African Challenge played at San Lameer Golf Estate.
The nine-year-old took up the sport at the age of seven after her dad – and current caddie Francois – played a lot of golf, which interested the talented young lady.
‘It came as a shock to me when she wanted to try her hand in golf. But after watching her play, it was like a diamond in the rough. The talent and skill is already there, she just needs to be polished up,’ said Francois.
Megan belongs to the Felixton Golf Academy and is registered with the SA Kids Golf Association.
The right-handed golfer currently plays off a 22 handicap, but is still waiting for her official handicap to be confirmed.
By finishing third in San Lameer Megan has now qualified for ‘green status’, which means that she is exempted to compete in all USA and United Kingdom junior tournaments and the Teen World Championships in Malaysia next year.
‘We did not really know how far Megan could go with the golf, so this year was a ‘test’ year.
‘Next year we will be going big in terms of playing in the overseas tournaments along with more local tournaments.’
But the Grade 4 pupil also plays hockey and netball, and competes in athletics and swimming for her school.
Megan trains once a week with the Felixton Golf Academy and completes five one-hour sessions a week with her dad at the Richards Bay Country Club and competes in one competition a month at the Felixton Country Club.
‘Her short game is very good, but we need to get more distance off the tee box.’
Megan’s short-term goal is to lower her handicap and participate in more local tournaments, with the hopes of eventually becoming a professional golfer one day who plays on the LPGA tour.
Her role model is Canadian LPGA golfer Brooke Henderson, who is only 19 and is currently playing on the tour.
When not busy nailing her grades or out sharpening up her golf game, Megan likes to play with her cat, hang out with friends, listen to music and watch movies.
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