JOHANNESBURG, 20 April 2016 – The South African Golf Association (SAGA) and Womens Golf South Africa (WGSA) has named two teams to represent South Africa in the 24th edition of the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Aichi-Prefecture, Japan this June.

South Africa’s top ranked Marco Steyn will spearhead the local challenge in the Boys Competition while number one ranked Ivanna Samu will lead South Africa in the Girls Competition at the Ishino Course of the Chukyo Golf Club from 14-17 June.

Steyn and Samu were both members of the two SA teams that competed in the prestigious international event last year. They return for duty alongside Dylan Naidoo, Herman Loubser and Kaleigh Telfer.

“The final member of the Boys team will be Dylan Mostert, who made his debut for South Africa in the All-Africa Junior Golf Challenge in March,” said SAGA Golf Integration Manager Eden Thompson.

“Marco, Herman and our two Dylans established a fantastic rapport in Tunisia, and working together towards South Africa’s 18th victory in the All-Africa Junior really unified them as a team.

“The team placed eighth in Japan last year and this year’s quartet is quite excited to have another stab at victory in this prestigious championship.”

The Toyota Junior Golf World Cup organisers introduced a Girls Competition with five countries to test the waters in 2014. It proved very successful and the Girls Competition was established to run concurrently with the Boys competition.

WGSA President Karen Olivant said Danielle du Toit from Gauteng North will join Samu and Telfer.

“Last year we were invited to enter a team and we selected Ivanna, Kaleigh and Natasha Carlsson, who tied for sixth overall,” said Olivant.

“Competing in a foreign country is always a tough task, but it was a fantastic experience for the team. This year Ivanna and Kaleigh will have the benefit of having played in this championship and they will know what to expect of the course.

“They have since both competed in several international events against some of the world’s top players. They are comfortable on the big stage, and their experience will also help to guide Danielle.

“We are also pleased to be taking along our National Coach, Val Holland, who will assist the team with course management and planning.”

SAGA Acting President Geoff Taylor said the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup draws participation from all continents, which elevates its status as a truly global championship.

“The Toyota Junior Golf World Cup draws entries from all the continents and it is really fantastic to see the wide global participation,” said Taylor.

“It is such an honour for South Africa to send two teams and we are very pleased that the All-Africa Junior Golf Championship silver medallists Zimbabwe also earned a repeat invitation. International competition is paramount to the development of our juniors and this championship represents a magnificent opportunity for our rising stars to test themselves against top international players at the highest level.

“We are excited to see how our teams handle themselves at an event of this stature.”

The Boys Competition follows a four players, three scores to count format, while the best two scores out of three count in the Girls Competition.

Please visit www.wjgtc.org or www.facebook.com/ToyotaJuniorGolfWorldCup for more information. 

PHOTO : SA Team left Ivanna Samu, top Kaleigh Telfer and bottom Danielle du Toit; credit WGSA.