Jason and Michael are almost 7-year-old twins. They are in Grade 1 at SAHETI School. Jason enjoys playing golf with his brother Michael, his dad and his Nonno (grandfather) – it is his favourite sport but also likes playing the piano and with his friends. Michael is also passionate about golf and also enjoys shooting his compound bow.
JASON BELLORA
What are your GOLFING HIGHLIGHTS?
- Playing golf with my dad, brother and Nonno and beating my Nonno – sometimes, thanks to coach Gavan Levenson at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.
- Having joined Mark Webster’s US Kids Golf and playing against my teammates, I have shot level par during a competition even with making an 8 on one hole.
- I have won two tournaments this season.
- Playing tournaments has helped me to become a better player at golf.
- I have met a few professionals like Gary Player, Ashleigh Buhai and Francesco Laporta.
Tell us where and when your love for golf started:
I fell in love with golf when I was three years old, while watching my dad at the driving range and got my set of plastic clubs for Christmas. I played in the garden with my brother Michael and my dad.
Are you the sort of golfer who sets yearly goals? If so, what goals did you set for yourself to achieve?
My goal is to win this season as next season I move into the next age group and it will be more difficult. I want to shoot a level par (36) at as many golf courses as possible. I still play to have fun or to play well and to finish in the top 5 at the end of the season, but if I don’t win it does not worry me too much, what’s more important to me is to participate and enjoy the day out and do the best I can do.
Talk to us about the strengths of your game and what are the weaknesses or aspects of the game you still need to attend to:
My golf strengths are chipping and bunker shots. I definitely save a lot of shots by chipping and coming out of the bunkers. My weakness is my putting. I struggle to sometimes get the right pace on the greens, but I will improve. I think that I don’t practice putting enough. I feel like it is boring compared to other golf shots.
Which tournaments would you most like to win and why?
I would like to win any tournament, I am not fussy about which one but maybe “The Big Five” tournament which is held in South Africa – that would be nice – because it is a 3-day tournament and there are lots of international players.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The best advice was from my mom and dad when they said: “FOCUS”.
What’s your go-to Club in your bag and why?
My go-to club is my sandwedge, as I am able to chip around the greens and come out of bunkers with it. I also love my customised putter. Since I got my putter, my putting has improved.
What advice would you give to youngsters just starting in the game?
See, if you enjoy playing golf with your friends before buying clubs go for lessons, if you enjoy golf you can make a lot of friends on the golf course also get your friends to play with you as well.
Do you have any superstitions before golf or on the course?
Yes, I do have a superstition before a game, I always carry my special stone for luck.
Which are your favourite golf courses and which golf courses would you still love to play?
My favourite golf course is Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club because we are members of that club and I shot a 37 for my first tournament win there. Woodhill Golf Club is also my favourite because the fairways are very wide and the greens suit my putting. I would like to play at The Masters at Augusta it would be my dream one day.
Long term, what are your goals for the future and how does golf feature?
I enjoy playing golf with my brother Michael, my dad and my Nonno. I love school playing with my friends and playing the piano. I will continue to play golf for as long as I have fun.
Michael BELLORA
What are your GOLFING HIGHLIGHTS?
- Playing golf with my dad, brother and grandfather and beating my father as much as possible, thanks to my coach Gavan Levenson at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.
- Having joined Mark Webster at US Kids Golf and playing competitively against my competitors, I have shot level par during 2 competitions and have won a few tournaments. Playing competitions and tournaments has helped me to be disciplined in golf and swimming.
- I have met a few professionals like Gary Player, Ashleigh Buhai and Francesco Laporta.
Tell us where and when your love for golf started:
I fell in love with golf when I was three years old playing putt-putt and watching my dad at the golf driving range and got my first set of plastic clubs for Christmas. We played in the garden.
Are you the sort of golfer who sets yearly goals? If so, what goals did you set for yourself to achieve?
After playing in my first tournament at Ebotse Country Club and winning my first medal I was determined to finish in the top three or win a tournament before my brother Jason. Setting goals is important to me because it allows me to practice so I achieve my goals. I set my goals to shoot level par at as many golf courses as I can play, shoot eagles and win the overall competition and tournaments for my age group.
Talk to us about the strengths of your game and what are the weaknesses or aspects of the game you still need to attend to:
My golf strengths are; In my driving and putting, I definitely save a lot of shots on the putting greens. Thanks to my dad that reads the greens well and my customised putter.
My weakness is; My bunker shots, but I continue to improve because I practice a lot.
Do you participate in other sports at school, or is golf your primary focus?
SAHETI school is a very academic school so we only do swimming now and soccer next term, golf is my primary sport, and swimming and shooting my bow helps me to get stronger for golf.
Which tournaments would you most like to win and why?
I would like to win, “The Big Five” tournament which is held in South Africa because it is a South African event and there are a lot of international players from overseas. When I get older, I want to play and win at St Andrews in Scotland the home of golf.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The best advice was from my dad when he said; “Never give up”.
What’s your go-to Club in my Bag and Why?
My go-to club in my bag is my Driver because I can hit this club very straight and far. I also love my customised putter.
What advice would you give to youngsters just starting in the game?
Go for lessons so that you can learn the basics and to see if you enjoy playing golf before buying clubs, if you do then get your friends to play and make friends with other golfers and play a lot and join US kids golf so you can get medals and play lots of different courses.
Do you have any superstitions before golf or on the course?
No, I don’t have any superstitions before a game I just practice, practice and practice.
Which are your favourite golf courses and which golf courses would you still love to play?
My favourite golf course is Glendower Golf Course because it was my first win and level par round. I have won twice there and defended my title. Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club are also favourites because there are two courses (West Course and East Course) and I am a member there. I would like to play all the golf courses that Rory McIlroy plays.
Long term, what are your goals for the future and how does golf feature?
Golf is my favourite sport and to keep playing with my brother Jason, dad and Nonno but I must also do the best I can at school and maybe see later, but I don’t know.
JUST FOR FUN
JASON BELLORA
CHIP SHOTS:
Tell us 5 things about yourself that most people don’t know:
- I have never had a cold drink ever. I love sparkling water.
- I love playing the piano.
- I enjoy going to school, to learn and to see my teachers and my friends. I can speak Greek and Italian and I am learning to write Greek and Italian now.
- I also shoot a compound bow.
- I love my family and my cat Callie and dog Bella.
Just for Fun:
Pick one animal to describe you?
A cheetah, so I can run the fastest.
What’s the best meal you’ve had?
Sushi is my favourite meal after golf.
What is your favourite season and why?
Summer. We can play with our friends, play golf and swim in our pool.
Michael BELLORA
CHIP SHOTS:
Tell us 5 things about yourself that most people don’t know:
- I like to shoot my compound bow but my arm gets sore after a lot of shooting.
- I go to extra swimming, golf, piano and Italian lessons.
- I love my family and pets Bella my dog and Callie my cat.
- I love to ride off-road on my bicycle.
- I have never had a cold drink ever.
Just for Fun:
Is there anything you are addicted to or can’t live without?
I can’t live without playing golf, going to school, playing with friends, eating risotto and swimming.
Tell us about something you hate doing and why?
Cleaning my toy room.
What movie can you watch again and again?
Top Gun 2 Maverick.
Describe the best meal you’ve had:
After playing at Pecanwood we went to Little Paris and ate waffles and played putt-putt there and saw the Eiffel Tower.