Youngster du Toit learning about life as a touring pro
22-year-old enters Ottawa tournament 22nd on MacKenzie Tour money list
After leaving school to turn professional this season, Jared du Toit has learned he still has a lot to learn.
As the 22-year-old Kimberley, B.C., native prepares to tee it up in Round 1 of the National Capital Open to Support our Troops at the Hylands Golf Club Thursday at 8:15 a.m., du Toit, who wrapped up his college career at Arizona State University last spring, is still trying to adjust to life on the MacKenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada.
While all the details were taken care of in college, that hasn’t been the case for du Toit since he joined the Canadian circuit. This is his eighth event of the season and he’s ranked 22nd on the money list with $17,277 in earnings, which means he has work to do if he wants to finish in the top-five to earn Web.com Tour status next year.
“I’ve felt pretty good (about the first two months),” said du Toit following a practice round on the Hylands layout. “I haven’t had any outstanding finishes but I’ve been in position a lot and I feel like I’m knocking on the door a lot, which is good.
“Hopefully, I can keep going. I’ve felt more comfortable every week and I’m hoping to continue that trend.”
The MacKenzie Tour is a good opportunity for du Toit to find out what’s it like to be a pro. He’s had to make all his own travel arrangements, deciding whether it’s better to fly or drive, and find places to stay.
He’s stayed with friends in different cities but got a hotel room in Ottawa because there wasn’t anyone he could stay with.
When the season started in British Columbia and Alberta, du Toit drove to his events. He flew to Ottawa after wrapping up the ATB Financial event in Calgary Sunday.
“It’s definitely challenging,” said du Toit, who makes his home in Calgary. “I’m on my seventh week in a row. It’s almost the same routine: Travel days Sunday and Monday, pro-am Tuesday, practice round Wednesday and then tournament.
“It’s been seven weeks in a row of that and I’m just learning how to handle that — how to travel well, what to do, where to go, how to take care of your body and all those little things. They’re definitely things I didn’t have to worry about in college.
“It’s been a lot of fun. It’s a little more challenging and a little more stressful on the course.”
If the name du Toit sounds familiar, it certainly is in Canadian golf circles. As an amateur, he played in the final group on Sunday at the 2016 Canadian Open at Glen Abbey in Toronto. He finished ninth, but du Toit got a standing ovation on No. 18 and the experience helped him understand he had the game to make the next step.
“It’s definitely shown me that my best golf can compete with just about anybody’s,” du Toit said. “This year I’ve had a couple of really good individual rounds. I know my good golf is good. I’m just trying to string together four (good rounds) and solidify a tournament. I haven’t been able to do that.
“I’m knocking on the door and I’m going to continue to try to. The Canadian Open was just huge for that, being able to compete, looking at whoever is teeing up across from me and feeling like I’m at a level playing ground.”
Du Toit said he still feels like he’s in a good position to get a Web.com card in the final few weeks of the season if he’s able to pick up some high finishes or win.
If not, he’ll head to Web.com qualifying school to see if he can earn a card.
“Finishing top-five on the money list is a big (goal),” du Toit said.
“That’s what everybody out here is chasing because then you lock up that Web.com card and it takes care of business for you next year.
“A couple of good weeks away from attaining that goal. There’s still plenty of good golf left. That’s definitely been my goal.”
The hard work is only just beginning for du Toit.
I’m just learning how to handle that — how to travel well, what to do, where to go, how to take care of your body and all those little things.