Gauteng North golfer, Tristen Strydom, plans to lean on the experience of 2012 when he takes on the country’s finest juniors at the National Final of the Glacier by Sanlam Junior Series at St Francis Links this week.
Competing in his second consecutive National Final, the 16-year-old from Pretoria is hoping to make amends after a disappointing performance last year and believes better preparation this time around will stand him in good stead for Thursday and Friday’s contest.
Speaking about the conditions at the Jack Nicklaus-designed St Francis Links, Strydom said: “I’m not going to look out for others. I’m just going to look at the course, play the course, respect it and go out and have some fun,” said Strydom.
“The course is really tough. We’re going to have to really think out there.
“You’ve got to hit it in the right places on the green and then you’ve just got to make the putts – that’s how you’re going to win this tournament. It’s all about putting. And the wind is a big factor on this golf course.”
“I’m very confident. I’ve been playing really well the last couple of weeks. I’ve had good preparation on the range and with my coach so I think it’s going to be a good one,” he said after completing a practice round on Wednesday.
Strydom booked his place in this year’s National Final with a victory at Glendower Golf Club earlier in the year.He’ll be up against some tough competition with the likes of Keegan de Lange (Pretoria County Club winner), David Meyers (Kempton Park) and Marco Hugo Steyn (Benoni Country Club) all showing good form recently.
At stake this week for the national champion is an all-expenses paid trip to compete in the prestigious Orange Bowl Invitational in the USA against the top juniors in the world.
“That would be huge for me. I’ve played in some tournaments overseas but I’ve never played an Orange Bowl so if I win this it would be a dream come true,” Strydom added.
Source of info: Michael Vlismas Media
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