My name is Keown Botha, I am 7 years old and in Grade 2 at Laerskool Northmead. I love all types of sports. I enjoy camping with my family and I love playing adventurous games with my brother Mallan. I am very passionate about playing golf and am a member at Serengeti; I have also enrolled in the “Wanna be a Champion” academy.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Hitting my first hole-in-one at the Serengeti Cubs course
- 4th Place in the US Kids Venice Open in Italy
- 4th Place in the British junior championships in the UK
- In my best round, I Shot 33 (-3) in a tournament which included 2 eagles in that round
- Gauteng Local Tour Champion 2022
- 3rd Place @ US Kids Big 5 SA Open 2022
Q&A
Tell us where and when your love affair with golf started.
I have been playing since I can remember. My dad often shows me videos of when I could barely stand up, and my “Oupa Johan” helped me and guided me on how to hold a club and hit the ball. I basically started at age one.
Are you the sort of golfer who sets yearly goals? If so, what goals did you set for yourself to achieve?
Every season I set goals for myself, usually a score I would like to achieve. This last season my goal was to shoot a level par round of 36 and I went beyond that when I shot a 33 in a US Kids tournament.
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.
I believe my short game and bunkers are my strengths, I can read greens well and my dad tends to ask me for assistance when I play with him. I love chipping and that is what I normally practice the most. My weakness is that I can be very hard on myself and my emotions can get the better of me.
Do you participate in other sports at school, or is golf your primary focus?
Yes, I do play cricket, rugby, and tennis occasionally and cannot wait for the rugby season to start at school.
Which tournaments would you most like to win and why?
The European championships which I am playing towards the end of May in Scotland because no other South African has ever won it. I definitely want to play the Masters so I can get a “green Jacket”.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
My dad always tells my to remember that ” As jy lekker speel dan speel jy goed, en as jy goed speel dan speel jy lekker”
What’s your go-to club in your bag and why?
Definitely, my sand wedge because I can hit it very high
What advice would you give youngsters just starting in the game?
To always enjoy it and practice is very important
Do you have any superstitions before golf or on the golf course?
No superstitions but I only want to play in shorts every season
Which are your favourite golf courses and which golf courses would you still love to play?
My favourite is Serengeti because it’s my home course, and I still want to play Augusta to win a “green jacket”.
Long term, what are your goals for the future and how does golf feature?
For now, my goals are to do well in the European Championships in Scotland and then I would like to tackle the World Championships in the US. I also would like to win my first international tournament this year hopefully in Scotland or Venice. My other goal is to hit my first century in cricket i have already made my first 50 this past year.
CHIP SHOTS
Tell us 5 things about yourself that most people don’t know.
- I enjoy being creative with art and sketching with my mom.
- I love to read and to date, I have read 150 Books in the last 12 months.
- I also enjoy public speaking and achieved a speaker of the grade 2023.
- I enjoy singing and dancing and will participate in the school’s Musical play this year.
- Eben Etsebeth is my favourite player and we share the same birth date.
JUST FOR FUN…
If you had to pick up one animal to describe you, what would it be and why?
A Buffalo, because then no one can tackle on the rugby field.
Describe the best meal you’ve had while on the road and where you had it.
Pasta and pizza in Italy
What is your favourite season and why?
Winter, then I can wear my soft, fluffy pyjamas
Is there anything you are addicted to or can’t live without?
Sport, otherwise life would be so boring
Tell us about something you hate doing and why?
Homework after school, I just don’t see why we should do homework if we can rather play a sport that is learning too.
What movie can you watch again and again?
Sing 2