Kimberley residents have been watching the junior golf career of Jared du Toit for quite a few years, and felt no small amount of pride this summer when he captured the B.C. Junior Championship.
What residents may not know is that du Toit was heavily recruited by several colleges in the United States, and has chosen the University of Idaho at Lewiston. He chose U of A primarily for their golf team and coach John Means, according to dad Mike du Toit.
“The coach and the golf team itself made the decision for Jared,” he said. “The proximity to home is just a nice bonus for us. The coach was fairly aggressive in pursuing Jared. We went with him. He has a good track record.”
Jared is beginning his third week of classes this week as he pursues a business degree.
Mike explained that the U.S. college system for golf is a little different in that there are nine or ten golfers chosen for the team but usually only five or six taken to any given tournament. Players have to prove themselves in order to make a tournament.
Jared went a long way towards proving himself last week when he picked up a win in a prestigious tournament in Lewiston the Whing Ding Sole Survivor at the Lewiston Golf and Country Club. This tournament is an elimination style tournament with the winner being the last man standing.
As reported by the Lewiston Tribune, “A new name emerged at Monday’s (September 2) 61st annual Lewiston Golf and Country Club Whing Ding.
Jared du Toit, an 18-year-old University of Idaho freshman golfer from Kimberley, British Columbia, hit a 335-yard drive and, two shots later, calmly sank a right-to-left eight-foot eagle putt on the 512-yard par-5 18th hole.
“It gave du Toit the sole survivor victory of Lewiston’s Brian King, seeking his fourth championship over a span of 20 years.”
It was quite a surprise to his parents who had no idea he’d even entered the tournament.
“He told me he was really nervous,” Mike said. “There were about 300 people following him and he’s sure not used to that.”
He may have to get used to it if his career trajectory continues on the same path.
Is the pro tour in the future?
“I think just like every parent in Kimberley thinks their kid may make the NHL, we’ve had that thought,” Mike said. “The pros are definitely in your mind, but everything would have to be perfect for that to happen. Right now, it’s education first.”