PRETORIA – Victorious European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal still admits to being envious of the wealth of talent South African golf produces.
The victorious captain of the 2012 European team is one of the star attractions in this week’s inaugural Tshwane Open at The Els Club, Copperleaf.
He’s been impressed with Ernie Els’ sweeping golf course, which is hosting a major European Tour-Sunshine Tour co-sanctioned tournament for the first time.
“It’s a long course, even though we’re not off the back tees all the time. The front nine is particularly long.
“Overall it’s a great golf course. I’m struggling with my driving, and the golf course being as long as it is, you need to drive it well,” said Olazabal.
He’s also enjoyed the sunshine after a week of snow back home that limited his practice.
But it’s the level of golf talent that keeps emerging from South Africa that impresses Olazabal, whose own Spanish homeland has given the game Seve Ballesteros, Sergio Garcia, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Manuel Pinero and of course himself.
“You have a lot of great players, no question. For whatever reason this country is able to deliver great players. I don’t now why.
“To be honest, the level here is much better than in Spain. It’s true that for a while we had great players in Spain, but we are struggling to see a new generation coming up.
“But you have a lot of great players, Major winners, in this country. In a way I envy that.”
