Into the swing of things

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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Ten-year-old Dané Gerber, a Grade 4 learner at Laerskool Blanco, made golf history when she won the lady's division of the Nedbank Amateur Golf Challenge at Sun City recently.

Dané is the first u.18 winner of the tournament ever, and the youngest to play during the tournament, which took place from 16 to 20 July.

Tournament organiser Ken Payet this week said Dané was one of five ladies to participate this year, including her mother, Pauline, also an avid golfer. "This is quite an achievement. Dané is certainly our youngest winner ever," said Payet.

The trophy she won is a replica of the Nedbank Million Dollar champion trophy.

Young Dané won a VIP Nedbank Golf Challenge experience for herself and a partner to the tournament in November where pros like Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace will participate. Her mom will accompany her.

Her prize includes an invite to the Champions Dinner (the official welcome function for the players and VIP guests) and to the Beach Party at the Valley of the Waves; an opportunity to watch the pros in action at the official Pro-Am event; VIP access to the grandstand and complimentary meals and drinks; and accommodation for three nights including breakfast at the Cabanas Hotel at Sun City from 7 to 10 November.

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Proudest moment

Dané's dad, Johan Gerber, said his daughter's proudest moment was when she played her third shot over the water and onto the green on the par-five-ninth hole of the Gary Player Country Club course at Sun City.

"It is a very difficult and challenging hole and it is every aspiring golfer's dream to score points there," said Johan. "What makes her performance that much more remarkable was that it was the first official tournament in which she participated. I have to admit, I shed a tear on a few occasions watching her."

A proud moment for Dané Gerber (10).

A family affair

Dané's parents have participated in the Nedbank Amateur Tournament at Sun City annually, for the past 20 years.

"We thought it would be good to give Dané the exposure. We had no expectations, and told her so. That morning, before the first round, I told her that even if she comes last, it doesn't matter. As long as she enjoys it," said Johan.

"I asked my caddie Andrew, who's been caddying for me for 20 years, to help her during the tournament. He has a very calm and nice personality. The two of them clicked instantly and she was incredibly calm. The tournament was played over three rounds, and after day two she was six strokes behind the leader. On the last day she showed incredible persistence, ability and concentration and finished among the leaders."

Dané Gerber with her winner's trophy, a replica of the Nedbank Million Dollar champion trophy.

Early training

The Gerbers are originally from Ebotse Golf Estate in Benoni where Dané started her training as a young girl of five years, under the watchful eye of Grant Veenstra and Nicole Garcia.

"They are both well known in the South African Golf world. Grant coaches players such as Dean Burmester and Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Nicole plays in the European Tour as a professional player," said Johan Gerber.

"My wife and I both like to play golf. We moved to George in 2021 and live on the Fancourt Golf Estate, where Vaughn Groenewald took her under his wing. Since our arrival here she has been coached by him three times a week.

"He is an excellent coach and is amazing with young kids. He has the ability to keep them happy during the process. We never realised that she has so much talent. Apart from golf she also loves tennis and netball."

Dané's dream is to become a professional golfer and her favourite player is Lexi Thompson from America. "But when it comes to her inspiration, it definitely comes from her mother, who is also a very good golfer," said Johan.

Dané and her mom, Pauline Gerber, who also participated in the tournament.