Sanlam Cancer Challenge final
Four junior golfers were thrilled to carry the torch for the Glacier Junior Series at this year’s Sanlam Cancer Challenge Finals at Sun City in October.
“I didn’t quite believe it when I was selected for the Sanlam Cancer Challenge,” said Tristan Hamilton, whose name was drawn along those of Ethan Joseph, Shayne Allan and Tian Konig from more than 2000 junior golfers who competed in the 30 regional tournaments held around the country this year.
“I didn’t quite believe it when I was selected for the Sanlam Cancer Challenge,” said Tristan Hamilton, whose name was drawn along those of Ethan Joseph, Shayne Allan and Tian Konig from more than 2000 junior golfers who competed in the 30 regional tournaments held around the country this year.
While 99 finalists, who survived club competitions and regional finals, teed it up in the 36-hole Sanlam Cancer Challenge Final, the lucky quartet got to play the Gary Player and Lost City golf courses alongside invited media, guests and VIPs.
“They drew just four names to go to Sun City and I couldn’t believe that I got so lucky,” said eight-handicapper from Durbanville Golf Club. The 14-year-old golfer not only enjoyed his first flight ever, but it was his visit to Sun City and his first look at the two Gary Player designed courses.
“I was just blown away by the whole experience,” said Hamilton. “The Gary Player Country Club is the most magnificent golf course I’ve ever played. I shot 84 at the Lost City and 85 at the Gary Player. I lost a lot of balls at the Gary Player but it didn’t matter because it was incredible to play there while they were preparing for the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
“The course is so well designed and greens are most amazing greens I’ve ever played on. They were smooth as carpets and grain run absolutely true. Now that I’ve played the course myself, I can’t wait to watch Luke Donald and Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer play there in December and see how they handle those holes.
“And I met the most amazing people. A lot of people who qualified for the final survived and conquered cancer and it was a privilege to meet them, especially the other kids my age. I have to thank Sanlam for giving me the chance to go and Helena (Ferreira) from Glacier by Sanlam, who looked after us at Sun City. It was without a doubt one of the most exciting experience of my life.” Although Allen from Northcliff had been to Sun City before, he said this time was really special. “The tournament is incredibly well organised,” said the 17-year-old. “I mean, Sun City is so vast, yet everything - the tournament, the functions, the transport - ran so smoothly. And the prizes were the best I’d ever seen at a golf tournament.”
Allan, who plays off a plus-three handicap, also enjoyed the two courses immensely, although he admits that his scores could have been better.
“I’ve never played at Sun City this close to the Million Dollar, so to play the courses in the conditions we played them, was a rare treat. I shot 74 at both courses, but I got so swept up in the tournament that I took risks where I normally wouldn’t. It didn’t matter though, because I still enjoyed myself immensely and it was a fantastic opportunity.”
Joseph was also a first time flyer, but the five-handicapper from Kuilsriver said flying didn’t have a patch on playing at Sun City.
“I’ve always watched the professionals on television, playing in the Nedbank Golf Challenge,” he said. The 16-year-old shot an 81 at Lost City and carded an 86 at the Gary Player. “Now I know every hole of the Gary Player and I can’t wait to watch this year. It’s going to be so awesome.”
Apart from the golf, Joseph said meeting so many people from around the country was incredible. “Although we didn’t play with the Sanlam Cancer Challenge finalists, we met them at all the functions. I really enjoyed meeting the other teenagers who qualified and media people and the VIPs who played with us in our competition. The whole experience was just magic”
Saxonworld’s Tian Konig had also played both courses before, but the four-handicapper also said playing the Gary Player so close to the Nedbank Golf Challenge was incredible.
“It was always one of the most challenging course I’ve ever played,” said the 17-year-old. Konig shot an 84 at the Lost City and 79 at the Gary Player. “The Gary Player course was in great condition, especially the greens. It was a great tournament and I feel very privileged to have been chosen. I just have to say hats off to Sanlam for a great tournament and a huge thank you to Glacier by Sanlam for choosing me for this awesome experience.”
“They drew just four names to go to Sun City and I couldn’t believe that I got so lucky,” said eight-handicapper from Durbanville Golf Club. The 14-year-old golfer not only enjoyed his first flight ever, but it was his visit to Sun City and his first look at the two Gary Player designed courses.
“I was just blown away by the whole experience,” said Hamilton. “The Gary Player Country Club is the most magnificent golf course I’ve ever played. I shot 84 at the Lost City and 85 at the Gary Player. I lost a lot of balls at the Gary Player but it didn’t matter because it was incredible to play there while they were preparing for the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
“The course is so well designed and greens are most amazing greens I’ve ever played on. They were smooth as carpets and grain run absolutely true. Now that I’ve played the course myself, I can’t wait to watch Luke Donald and Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer play there in December and see how they handle those holes.
“And I met the most amazing people. A lot of people who qualified for the final survived and conquered cancer and it was a privilege to meet them, especially the other kids my age. I have to thank Sanlam for giving me the chance to go and Helena (Ferreira) from Glacier by Sanlam, who looked after us at Sun City. It was without a doubt one of the most exciting experience of my life.” Although Allen from Northcliff had been to Sun City before, he said this time was really special. “The tournament is incredibly well organised,” said the 17-year-old. “I mean, Sun City is so vast, yet everything - the tournament, the functions, the transport - ran so smoothly. And the prizes were the best I’d ever seen at a golf tournament.”
Allan, who plays off a plus-three handicap, also enjoyed the two courses immensely, although he admits that his scores could have been better.
“I’ve never played at Sun City this close to the Million Dollar, so to play the courses in the conditions we played them, was a rare treat. I shot 74 at both courses, but I got so swept up in the tournament that I took risks where I normally wouldn’t. It didn’t matter though, because I still enjoyed myself immensely and it was a fantastic opportunity.”
Joseph was also a first time flyer, but the five-handicapper from Kuilsriver said flying didn’t have a patch on playing at Sun City.
“I’ve always watched the professionals on television, playing in the Nedbank Golf Challenge,” he said. The 16-year-old shot an 81 at Lost City and carded an 86 at the Gary Player. “Now I know every hole of the Gary Player and I can’t wait to watch this year. It’s going to be so awesome.”
Apart from the golf, Joseph said meeting so many people from around the country was incredible. “Although we didn’t play with the Sanlam Cancer Challenge finalists, we met them at all the functions. I really enjoyed meeting the other teenagers who qualified and media people and the VIPs who played with us in our competition. The whole experience was just magic”
Saxonworld’s Tian Konig had also played both courses before, but the four-handicapper also said playing the Gary Player so close to the Nedbank Golf Challenge was incredible.
“It was always one of the most challenging course I’ve ever played,” said the 17-year-old. Konig shot an 84 at the Lost City and 79 at the Gary Player. “The Gary Player course was in great condition, especially the greens. It was a great tournament and I feel very privileged to have been chosen. I just have to say hats off to Sanlam for a great tournament and a huge thank you to Glacier by Sanlam for choosing me for this awesome experience.”
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