Jendamark Automation
Newly crowned SA Amateur Champion Kyle de Beer is preparing for a thrilling overseas golfing adventure which will include a first-ever foray to the United States.
The likeable 23-year-old from Port Elizabeth Golf Club heads out to Florida in mid-March for a 3-tournament stretch against the finest amateur golfers the US has to offer.
His caddie and great mate Tyler Watts is travelling with him as Kyle looks to test himself in new conditions and experience playing State-side for the first time.
"Tyler and I have worked together on and off for the last five years, but he's been full-time on my bag since January," says Kyle. "Tyler's dad Graeme Whale is my coach at PE Golf Club so its a really good fit to have both father and son fully invested in my game."
Kyle's first tournament in America will be the Florida Azalea Amateur which will be followed by the Azalea Invitational in South Carolina.
"We'll come home after that two-tournament stretch to sort out visa's for our UK trip in May and will then head back to the States to play in the Terra Cotta Invitational at Naples National Golf Club in Florida."
Kyle has received tremendous support over the years from both the Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation and GolfRSA and now local automation company Jendamark has stepped in to make his and Tyler's trip to the United States possible.
"Jendamark is not only assisting me financially, but also in terms of managing my life around my golf. They've made it personal and we are certainly going to fly their name proudly while we are overseas."
Kyle is the first to admit that winning the SA Amateur is about as big as it gets in South African Amateur golf and that his triumph at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club has opened a number of doors in terms of playing opportunities, both home and abroad.
"Graeme Whale, Tyler and myself sat down after that win and we agreed that I now have a wonderful opportunity to take full advantage of what will probably be my last year as an amateur golfer," said Kyle.
"We'll head off to the UK in mid-May with the GolfRSA National Squad for the Brabazon Trophy, the Scottish Amateur, the St Andrews Links Trophy, and then the British Amateur at iconic Royal Lytham and St Annes where both Bobby Locke and Ernie Els won The Open Championship. It is a very special opportunity to play in four incredible events steeped in so much history."
Kyle's adventure does not end there because he's also been invited to play in the Southern Amateur in Sea Island, Georgia, in August.
"The Southern Amateur is generally regarded as one of The Big Five in amateur golf globally so I feel very honoured to have been invited to play in that event," said Kyle.
"I'm also looking forward to playing in the SA Open again at the end of the year. It's tradition of course that the SA Amateur Champion plays with the reigning SA Open Champion (Danie van Tonder) and another marquee signing the first two days so that will be a very special way to round out the year."
Kyle de Beer heads off on his overseas travel as the 5th ranked amateur golfer in South Africa and as the 124th ranked amateur globally. "My game is feeling really good at the moment so let's see where it takes me the rest of the season. When the dust has settled at the end of the year, we'll make a call on turning professional. One consideration is the possibility of receiving a number of invites as a rookie professional based on my amateur ranking. It would give me a foot in the door, so to speak. But for now, there’s no pressure, I'm just looking forward to a really exciting adventure the next few months with Tyler right there next to me every step of the way."
