Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Cape golf prodigy swings back home
Tristan Galant, a prodigy who captured the imagination of the golfing world at the age of 12, has returned after four years in the US and aims to inspire other youngsters.
A past winner of the SA U13 Championships, the strapping teen is back in Cape Town having spent the past four years at the Bishop’s Gate Golf Academy and the International Junior Golf Academy in Florida.
“Bishop’s Gate coaches Zach Parker and Iain Highfield saw me play in Scotland and invited me to Florida to further my golfing education,” says Tristan, 16. “I had just turned 12, but I wasn’t afraid to make the move. My mom said she would miss me a lot, but we knew it was an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Growing up in Belhar, Tristan previously attended Erica Primary School and his goals are to turn pro one day and give back to his community. “I want to inspire kids where I grew up surrounded by gangsterism,” he said.
Having learned the game under the watchful eye of his father at the former King David golf course, Tristan has golf in his blood. Uncle Mervyn Galant played on the Sunshine Tour.
Tristan was inspired to play by Tiger Woods: “I would watch him on TV and loved his celebrations.”
He also enjoyed the extreme shot-making exploits of the great Seve Ballesteros. “So, I don’t mind being off-line! Plus, recovery is part of life,” he added philosophically, demonstrating that an old head sits atop his broad young shoulders.
Tristan’s first tournament since returning home in December was the Bridge Fund Managers Junior Series at Durbanville golf course on January 5. His game showed some rust and the gale-force south-easter did him no favours, but Tristan still impressed with his Tiger-like length off the tee, once booming a drive 300m – uphill.
Most impressive was his calm nature, even when the golfing gods threw him bad breaks.
“If I do badly I like the opportunity golf gives you to come back – it teaches you a lot about life. Because you get knocked down so often, golf builds resilience,” he says.
His career highlights so far include being awarded provincial colours at the age of 9, winning the U13 SA Championships and a couple of runner-up spots in the US. “Also shooting my lowest score so far, 65 at Bella Collina in Florida,” he adds.
Tristan’s return to US fairways could come in April if he wins one of the remaining juniorseries. bridgefm.co.za events.