GOLFRSA RISING STAR NEWMAN SHINES IN SCOTLAND

After a winning start to the 2023 local season, talented North West junior Bryan Newman tested the waters in the prestigious Scottish Boys’ Open Championship in April and came incredibly close to a breaking through on the international stage.

Teeing off in the 144-strong field featuring top juniors from 13 countries at Lundin Golf Club, the 15-year-old Pecanwood golfer was seven strokes off the pace after an opening two-over-par 74.

Subsequent rounds of 69 and 68 rocketed Newman up the leaderboard and he fired a superb 66 that featured seven birdies in the final round to close out a runner-up finish on seven-under 277, finishing just one shot behind Irish winner Seán Keeling.

South Africa’s No 2-ranked Under-17 golfer called the experience incredible after being presented with Scottish Boys Under-16 Trophy: “I truly enjoyed my time here in Scotland, learning to play true links golf,” he said.

“It was not the easiest of conditions; we had rain and wind and I learned how to hit shots, and to manage my game really well. I was proud to show South Africa in a good light against the European golfers and being in contention was awesome.”

In January, Newman reeled in his fourth GolfRSA National title with a wire-to-wire victory in the Nomads National Order of Merit Coastal at Selborne, continuing a trend that started with breakout six-stroke victory in the 2021 Joburg Under-15 Junior Open at Eagle Canyon.

He also led from start to finish in his seven-stroke triumph in the 2022 Nomads Gowrie Farm SA Under-15 Challenge and defended his Joburg Under-15 Junior Open at the end of last year in wire-to-wire style, this time with a runaway nine-stroke victory at Kyalami CC.

We caught up with Bryan following his impressive performance in Scotland and chatted to the grade 10 Steyn City School learner about goals, idols and a few of his favourite things,.

Career Highlights

1st – 2023 Scottish Boys’ Open Championship U-16

2nd – 2023 Scottish Boys’ Open Championship

1st – 2023 Nomads National Order of Merit Coastal 1 at Selborne GC (just after turning 15)

1st – 2022 Joburg Junior U-15 Open (won by 9 shots at Kyalami CC)

1st – 2022 Nomads Gowrie Farm U-15 Challenge (won by 7 shots at Gowrie Farm Golf Estate)

1st – 2021 Joburg Junior U-15 Open (won by 6 strokes at Eagle Canyon)

Achieved 100% in November 2022 mathematics exam

Played First Team tennis at school

Competed in the 2016 US Kids tournament at Pinehurst, and the 2015 SA Kids Golf tournaments at Mount Edgecombe.