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SAGDB
FAIRYTALE FLOURISH
Mitch Phigeland is an SAGDB success story that is heading for a sell-out sequel. Craig Stirton
Mitch Phigeland’s quiet disposition is in stark contrast to the on-course noise he has made throughout his marvellously successful young golfing life. Quiet dedication has been key to a steady progression from the grassroots structures of the South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) to selection for the GolfRSA National Squad, and you can’t help but feel this is just the beginning for the promising Atlantic Beach Links member.
“I was at home scrolling through Instagram randomly and saw an email come through from GolfRSA,” recalls Phigeland.
“I read through the email congratulating me on being named as part of the squad and I was really happy, as making the squad has always been one of my goals.”
Phigeland’s journey to the squad began when he was eight years old during a family outing to the now defunct River Club driving range in Cape Town.
“One day my family and I decided to go to the River Club, hit a few balls and enjoy ourselves. I saw my uncle coaching golfers from the SAGDB. He said that if I also wanted to play golf I should go to him for coaching every Saturday, and that’s how I got started.”
Like most young children, Phigeland was drawn to trying to hit the ball as far as he could. In time, with the help of his uncles and then coaches from the Atlantic Beach branch of the Etienne Olivier Golf Academy, he refined his swing into a wonderful blend of power and elegance.
“I read through the email congratulating me on being named as part of the squad and I was really happy, as making the squad has always been one of my goals”
Recognising his talent and love for the game, the SAGDB provided financial assistance which enabled Phigeland to cut his competitive teeth against the best juniors in South Africa.
“The SAGDB helped me a lot through the years, paying my tournament entry fees, flights and accommodation, which allowed me to compete provincially and nationally.
“This helped elevate my game to the next level because I was competing with the best amateurs in South Africa.”
From the finest golf courses his home country has to offer to the Old Course at St Andrews, the now well-travelled Phigeland has had plenty to celebrate in 2024.
Three wins on Western Province Golf’s Premier Amateur Tour on vastly different layouts – Clovelly Country Club, Kuilsrivier Golf Club and King David Mowbray Golf Club – contributed to a third-place finish on the Order of Merit, earning the 19-year-old a debut for Western Province at the South African Inter-Provincial Tournament at Stellenbosch Golf Club.
The softly spoken Phigeland proved an integral cog in the Western Province machine, which powered to a 37-33 game-point victory over North West, the union’s 19th triumph in its 63-year tournament history.
LISTEN TO…
Free Drop Episode 33:
We chart Phigeland’s journey from the SAGDB to the GolfRSA National Squad and help you get to know one of South Africa’s rising amateur stars!
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Phigeland combined with Royal Cape’s Cole Cruickshank to win four full foursomes points, which Phigeland attributes to their ability to keep one another calm in pressure situations.
“I felt a lot of emotions during the rounds: one moment I was happy, the next I was angry and disappointed, but Cole and I kept cool heads during our foursomes matches and inspired each other when we were feeling down,” he says.
Individually, Phigeland fared just as well, delivering four singles points for Province. It was fitting that he capped an incredibly successful week with a 6 & 4 demolition of Southern Cape’s Juan Barnard.
Phigeland was unflappable even as strong winds battered the players on the final day, lashing drives through the teeth of the wind and striding purposefully to a 4-up advantage at the turn. A birdie-four at the 14th sealed victory and the decisive game point for the Province juggernaut.
“The IPT was an amazing experience and it was very special to earn the winning point. The gees that week among the boys was awesome and I was so chuffed that we were able to win it. Hopefully, I can make the team again next year and we can get to experience the feeling again!”
Phigeland’s evolution into a steely competitor who thrives under pressure, winning three of the four playoffs he’s contested in 2024, is largely down to the work he’s done with renowned sports psychologist Theo Bezuidenhout since the pair began working together three years ago. “We’ve chatted a lot about the different types of breathing which can help you handle pressure situations better,” he says.
Now this youngster can take a quiet breath and reflect on his success since that family outing to the River Club and look forward to all the wonderful experiences that come with being a GolfRSA National Squad member.
SCOTTISH MAGIC
Walking in the footsteps of the legends of the game and playing golf courses they’ve only seen on television were some of the highlights for young golfers Devon Valentine and Mitch Phigeland on their tour of Scotland with the South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB).
Valentine and Phigeland are part of the SAGDB’s programme to use golf to change the lives of South Africa’s underprivileged youth, and which is supported by the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The young golfers said they returned from the tour with a new vision for what is possible in their own lives as they challenged themselves on the Scottish links courses of Muirfield and the Old Course and met some of the stars of the game at the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open.
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IMAGES: ernest blignault/golfrsa