As his freshman year at Division I College Augusta State University beckons, it’s not lost on Josh Daniels that the road to becoming a Jaguar has been smoothed by the valuable experience gained as part of the South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB), the GolfRSA structures and the support of the Atlantic Beach Links Junior Academy.

Last year, the youngster was selected as part of the 2024-25 GolfRSA National Squad in recognition of his outstanding talent, which has enabled him to develop his skills even further.

Many a college golf hopeful has been chewed up and spat out by a notoriously cutthroat and challenging system. Relocating halfway across the world is a daunting enough prospect. Add the inevitable culture shock, plus the need to maintain athletic and academic excellence while you find your feet, and it’s easy to see why so many promising young careers burn out.

Since joining the SAGDB as a 13-year-old, Daniels has taken his game to the far-flung corners of the globe and has been given the freedom to mould himself into a well-rounded player and person.

“I started playing golf when I was about eight years old, and from the time I was about 11 the SAGDB came through a lot for me, helping me experience many countries and tournaments,” says Daniels.

“I’ve learned that not many people get the opportunities I’ve received from them, which has helped me appreciate what they do for me, so I’m really thankful for them.”

In Daniels, the SAGDB and GolfRSA haven’t only unearthed a grateful golfer but a great golfer too. In 2023 he captured the Somerset West Junior Championship title and was runner-up at the WP Junior Boys Matchplay Championship in July. He went on to win a tight race at the Durbanville Junior Championship in September, giving him plenty to celebrate.

His fine form continued the following year when in March, he sandwiched an eight-under 64 between a 74 and 72 around Rondebosch Golf Club to win the SA Juniors International Tournament by two shots from Ghery Rabie. He also registered a seventh-place finish at the Nedbank Junior Golf Challenge played over the demanding Gary Player Country Club layout.

Daniels also flew the flag for South Africa last year when he was selected to play at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Junior World Championship in Jakarta in June. He then went on to defend his Somerset West Junior after shooting an impressive four-under-par 68 on the final day.

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Performances such as these no doubt played a role in Augusta State head coach Steven Paine’s decision to add the Somerset West Golf Club youngster to a roster which has a strong South African contingent.

“While there are a few nationalities represented, most of the players like Ian Pienaar and Joshua Koekemoer are from South Africa, which makes it feel a bit more like home,” he says.

This welcome element of Daniels’ homeland may soften his landing in the US but he is under no illusion about what awaits him.

“One of the main challenges is going to be doing everything by myself: getting my own food and getting from place to place, so I think it’s going to take quite a few weeks to get used to being over there all alone and away from my friends.”

That said, Daniels is relishing the opportunity to rise to these challenges and climb up the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).

“Opportunity-wise, we’ll play a lot of tournaments that have high WAGR weighting, so we can get a lot of points from the events we play which is a big opportunity to grow.”

The SAGDB has been central to the growth Daniels has already undergone as a person and player, and he heaped praise on the Board for its positive impact on South African society.

“The SAGDB helps underprivileged children, not just people of colour, who are struggling financially to get into the sport of golf. They help achieve a more balanced society, especially with up-and-coming children.”

Daniels’ recruitment to Augusta University can largely be attributed to him making the most of the competitive opportunities he has received through being an SAGDB golfer. Over the next four years in the US, his continued development in the cutthroat environment of Division I College Golf will ensure golf continues to play a pivotal role in his life on and off the course.

“Golf has shaped who I am as a person. It’s crazy to see how much I’ve grown through playing the game, so golf means everything to me.”

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IMAGES: ERNEST BLIGNAULT/GOLFRSA/GRANT LEVERSHA/DURBANVILLE GOLF CLUB/SUPPLIED