Zinan, 9, star pupil and golfer of note
UNLIKE his peers who want to be doctors, lawyers or teachers, Zinan Maimane, 9, wants to tee off all his life.
The young golfer, who recently finished fourth in the US Kids Golf European Championships, eats, breathes and sleeps the sport.
And his triumph at the international championships was just the cherry on the top, as he has already bagged more than 20 trophies since he started playing golf in 2014.
He qualified for the championships after coming second in the US Kids World Tournament qualifiers last year.
The Tyger Valley College learner from Silver Lakes, east of Pretoria, is lucky to live near a golf course and dedicates an hour each day after school and four hours every weekend to the sport.
He doesn’t plan on studying further after matric, as he just wants to play golf.
A smiling and reserved Zinan doesn’t say much, other than speak about his love for the sport.
“Golf is a great game for me. I enjoy playing it. My dad took me to practise once, and that’s how it all started. I really love it.”
He also spoke about his participation in the European Championships last month.
“It was cold there. I did well, but on the last day things changed. For the first two days, I was leading and on the last day I just dropped the ball; I think it was because of pressure.”
His mother, Lesego Maimane, said it all started four years ago with what she called a “fun game”.
“Three months into playing golf in 2014, we saw that he had potential,” Lesego said.
Zinan started playing in tournaments in 2016, which earned him a trip overseas. He was one of the many kids who participated in the US Golf Kids World Championships.
“To us it was an achievement because he was only three months into the game. Also, he outshone boys who had been there way before him.
“He came out in the top 40, which was good because he had only been competing for a few months. Lots of kids compete from all over the world, so it was an achievement for us,” his proud mother said.
In all the Junior Africa Challenges he has ever taken part in, Zinan was always in the top three.
He is also an “A” pupil, his mother said.