Help Damian go to World Championships 2022

I was born in Pretoria and moved to Namibia in 2013. I went to Educate in Otjiwarongo in 2014, then from 2015 - 2018, I finished my high school career at Windhoek High School. I started playing golf in 2016. I have represented Namibia at the All Africa Junior Championship in Zimbabwe in 2017. I am currently finishing my last year of studies as a PGA professional.

Ever since I started playing golf I have always been able to hit the golf ball further than the rest of the field and this is what made me stand out. So in December 2021, I decided to start training as a long drive athlete, and on March 26, 2022, I had my debut at a long drive competition in Benoni, Gauteng, RSA. As it turns out, I had what it takes to win my first long drive competition with a 376m and the longest drive for the day.

After this performance, my goal changed from a “What if,” to something larger, and more daring, winning the World Long Drive Amateur Championship. The work I have currently put in and the coaching I have received has led me to 3 victories, ranked 2nd in the country and I have been selected to represent South Africa at a World Championship Tournament all in the last 5 months.

The PLDA or The Professional Long Drive Association had selected me to go to this year's PLDA World Championships in Mesquite, Nevada from 27 September to 01 October.

My current success has shown that I have what it takes to be more than just a competitor at a Championship stage and I believe that I can win this year’s title as World Long Drive

How the game works:

Starting - There are 3 sets of 2 minutes 30 seconds to hit 6 balls in each set. The goal is to hit the balls long enough to be in the top 8. The top 8 are the 8 longest ball hitters from the qualifying rounds. Then once the top 8 have been named the players will compete against each other at random in an elimination round, 2 against each other only hitting 6 balls in 2,30 minutes. The 2 players that make it to the finals will hit 8 balls in the time of 3 minutes.

The grid or fairway that needs to be hit and the ball has to stay in the grid. The grid is 55 meters wide.

My performance

My current performance at Melkbosstrand, Cape Town, RSA on a flight scope Xi Tour with standard sea level setting no wind factored in:

Longest ball: 395m 30/07/22

Fastest Clubhead speed: 143.4 mph - 09/05/22

Average Clubhead speed: 138 mph

Fastest Ball Speed(Volvik Ball): 201.9 mph - 21/05/22

Fastest Ball Speed(Range ball Srixon): 193.7 mph - 20/04/22

My accomplishments

• Winner of Gridpro Africa - Amatuer division 02/07/2022
• Winner of GridPro Zimbabwe - Amateur division 14/05/2022
• Winner of GridPro SA No.3 - Amateur division 26/03/2022
• Longest drive in amateur division 387m - 30/04/2022
• 2nd place in the Gridpro SA No.3 & - Open division 26/03/2022 & 30/04/2022

My Equipment

• Driver head: Callaway XR16 LD 5°

Shaft: Raver 60 flex - XXX

• Driver: Krank Driver 4°

Shaft: 50 LD Paderson

I am aspiring to become the:

• South African Long Drive Amateur Champion in 2022
• World Long Drive Amateur Champion in 2022, then move to World Long Drive Professional Champion in 2023.

What are the funds for?

The funds are to cover:

1. Visas
2. Flights
3. Accommodation
4. Traveling - Uber and shuttle buses
5. Competition fees
6. Extra Equipment

This is a great opportunity to raise our South African flag. All donations will truly be helpful. I am open to brand ambassadorship opportunities.

Please share with as many people as possible.

Thank you