Randpark’s super-talented teenager Stefan Jacobs started off his stint as a freshman at Augusta University in America by shooting an impressive level-par 72 off the daunting pro tees at none other than Augusta National.
But he had to play some fine golf even to make it onto the first tee on this iconic and very exclusive golf course which hosts The 2023 Masters.
Stefan only arrived at Augusta University early in January, mid-term over there. “But they wanted him immediately for their golf squad which is why he only started off there effectively in the middle of year one of study,” said his dad, Randpark’s well-known senior golf birdie machine Schalk Naude.
Because the university is situated close to the Masters venue, every year Augusta National allow the institution six of their players to have a dream round on what is the most famous course in America. But since there are 10 in the squad there has to be a play-off to decide who goes and who doesn’t. As it turned out, five squad members had already booked their spots because of their golf in 2022. “So,” Schalk explained, “it was Stefan against four other guys for the remaining berth.” He then shot two under at the course the students normally play on to earn himself a coveted tee time at Augusta. Then to card level par off the back markers was very special for the young man who turned 19 in February.
Stefan, it will be remembered, knocked in a wedge to eagle the par-4 sixth hole at Sun City in the final round of the prestige Nedbank Junior Challenge last May before also eagling the par-5 ninth where he rolled in a monster 50-footer for a three on his way to a 70 and a 213 aggregate and victory by three over Aldrich Potgieter who a month later won the British Amateur. That win saw Stefan soar to No 1 in Golf RSA’s Under-19 rankings.
Jacobs’s first win at national level was in 2022 when he annexed the Nomads North and South tournament at Pecanwood. From August last year, however, there was little time for golf as he was studying for matric at Affies in Pretoria. He did, however, help the Central Gauteng Lions snatch victory at the SA Under-19 interprovincial in December.
Schalk feels one of Stefan’s chief assets as a golfer is his natural swing speed which here in Johannesburg enables him to comfortably hit drives of 300 metres plus without having to force. “And,” his father adds, “he’s also a good all-rounder and a really good chipper.”
We at Randpark wish him a very bright future and, in the meantime, posting a 72 at Augusta National at the first time of asking will be something he always remembers with a touch of justifiable pride.
By Grant Winter
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