There comes a time in everyone’s career when a milestone is reached or a performance produced that is beyond the player’s expectations. It is a winning mindset that boosts self confidence and self belief. Great performances are a fantastic reward for all of the time and effort spent practicing and provide the motivation and the focus to keep on practicing and improving. Two of KeNako’s students (Breyten Meyer and Garen Niemand) had a wonderful tournament at Kingswood Golf Estate this past Sunday where conditions weren’t ideal for good scoring but they found their groove and produced two outstanding performances.
Breyten Meyer won the Kingswood Open with scores of 70 and a magnificent 64 for a 36 hole total of 134 winning by a margin of 5 shots from Shaun Smith on 139 (68,71). Breyten was one of KeNako’s first intake of students, enrolling when KeNako Academy first opened its doors to students in January 2009. From the beginning Breyten has totally embraced the KeNako program and he has developed an excellent relationship with Roger Wessels, who has become his mentor. Breyten finished school at the end of 2010 but he has continued to work with the professionals at KeNako, with the dream of one day turning professional. It has been very rewarding for the professionals at KeNako to see this young man develop his game to the point where he can now compete with the best amateurs in the country. Breyten has a challenging month ahead of him with the Eastern Province Strokeplay, Central Gauteng Strokeplay, the Harry Oppenheimer Tournament and the International Teams Championships being played in successive weeks. On his current form and with his newfound confidence Breyten should enjoy a few good results.
Shaun Smith has recently returned to competitive play following a wrist injury and despite some rustiness he was happy with his performance and is looking forward to the run of tournaments coming up around the country. Third place went to the ever consistent Andrew Light on 145 (73,72), while 16 year old Garen Niemand, another KeNako Academy student, finished 4th just one shot further back after an amazing afternoon round of 67 following a disappointing first round of 81. It was an excellent comeback by Garen and he is a rising star of the future. Garen is a talented Grade 10 student and he has made very good strides in making his swing efficient and repetitive. His 67 is the product of good work on the range, good results in the junior foundation events this year – two wins and two runner up places – and the realisation that good mental skills are very important in helping to produce winning performances. Keep an eye on Garen as this young man has the potential to have a wonderful playing career.
A note of thanks should go to Louis Fourie – the Southern Cape Golf Director – for arranging a new Strokeplay schedule that includes many of the courses in the Southern Cape.
We wish Breyten, Shaun and Andrew the best of luck in this coming weekend’s Eastern Province Strokeplay Championships.
