Emile2GoGolfPro

I am writing to you today in the hopes of taking on the responsibility of being supported by -, and consequently a representative of, South Africa at a professional Level.

‘Sport Changes Lives’. I am an example of how golf has changed my life – keeping me focused on striving for excellence as opposed to floundering around like so many others my age. I have known that being a Professional Golfer is my future, since the age of ten, when I held my first golf clubs.

‘Changing the world is a marathon, not a sprint’. I have begged, I have pleaded, I have borrowed and I have learnt from more experienced players at the Golf Clubs I belonged to in an effort to grow and develop my golf game, and I don’t intend to stop until I am the very best.

I know it takes a village to excel and am acutely aware of the responsibility that comes with it, the personal and academic growth needed to be an ambassador for those who invest their hard-earned time, money and skill in me. I am raised in a values-driven household where I am taught to carry the consequences of my actions and responsibility for the decisions I make to carry my career forward.

Ever since I started playing golf, my parents left the decision making to me and encouraged me to establish the necessary relationships. My mother continuously said I needed to find my own passion for the game – otherwise I will not know how to ‘dig deep’, when needed. I frequently have to come up with solutions to the ever increasing demands my dream places on our family, such as requesting free membership from Atlantic Beach Golf Club when we moved to Bloubergstrand, sourcing funds for SA and provincial championships myself, living with a friend of mine in Bloubergstrand during Gr10 whilst my parents stayed in Bellville, so that I could finish off my school year and start at the TGSE Academy at the beginning of this year, and arranging for my clubs to be transported every other day to save on travel costs.

February last year my life changed, my grandad gave me money to go towards further studies which turned out to be just enough for the golf school fees for one year. I had the choice to go for my dream and apply to The Golf School of Excellence Cape Town or save the money for further studies. I chose the dream I have had since I was a youngster. It was certainly one of the best days of my life when I heard that Mr Paul Mackenzie opened a TGSE Academy Site in Cape Town, which brings me to ‘Collaborating With Those Who Inspire Us’. As soon as we could, my mom and I made an appointment with Mr Mackenzie to talk about me attending the school. Before this, we could never afford a coach, so I learnt the game by myself and by watching professionals play on YouTube and television. I did well during my u/15 year as I was top 20 in the country.

I am now a proud student of The Golf School of Excellence Cape Town and am coached by Mr Mackenzie himself. Since starting at the School we have been addressing my shoulder issues by adjusting my swing, which affected my competition scores. I also suffered a mild wrist injury and bronchitis directly thereafter.

Golf is a very expensive sport. I am asking for assistance because the game is simply starting to get too expensive for my parents to afford. I am motivated and hardworking and I know how lucky I am to play the game I love every day. I always try to behave with respect towards others and I will do anything it takes to achieve my goals. I did not have the best year last year, as I had a shoulder problem. I also could not take part in the SAGA events because it was too expensive. I train hard in the gym, on course, on the range and I work hard with Mr Mackenzie on my mental game to be able to handle high pressure situations.

I understand that it might be a risk for you to support me as I am not a high ranked player yet. I will do what it takes to achieve my goals this year and I will always wear the South African brand with pride and always behave in a manner that only makes the company look good and professional.

I have included:

• My 2017 tournament schedule.
• My goals for 2017
• A letter of recommendation from Mr Paul Mackenzie and Ms Sarah Braude.

I hope that you can give me a chance to be an ambassador for South Africa and be a huge part in my road to achieving my dreams.

You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start, in order to be great.

Zig Ziglar

Emile Raath

My 2017 Tournament Schedule

Saga Events:

• SA u/19 Strokeplay, Langebaan GC 2-6 April
• Boland Amateur Strokeplay, Stellenbosch GC 19 – 21 April
• WP Amateur Strokeplay, Westlake GC 24 – 26 April
• Dimension Data Junior Open, Fancourt GC 5-7 July
• Nomads Inland NOoM, Houghton GC 17-18 July
• Tshwane Junior Open, Pretoria GC 20-21 July
• Joburg Junior Open, Royal JHB & Kensington GC 7-8 December

WP Premier Tour Events:

• Parow Men’s Open 7 May
• Westlake Open 4 June
• Atlantic Beach Open 18 June
• Erinvale Open 6 August
• Milnerton Open 20 August
• Steenberg Open 10 September
• Royal Cape Open 8 October
• Clovelly Open 22 October
• Metropolitan Open 29 October
• Durbanville Open 5 November
• Mowbray Open 26 November

WP Junior Events:

• Bellville Jnr Open 10 April
• Prentice Cup, Mowbry GC 28 May
• Royal Cape Jnr Open 10 July
• Atlantic Beach Jnr Open 13 August
• Strand Jnr Open 10 September

My 2017 Golf Goals

• Top 20 in South Africa
• Top 10 in WP order of merit
• To improve my handicap to +1
• To maintain a stroke average of less than 75
• To maintain an academic average of at least 65%