by Miguel Meyer

Everybody has a moment in their life that defines them or changes his life forever. My moment came at a golf tournament in 2009 at the Rigi Foam Championship at Benoni Lake Country Club. It was during the summer season of the Junior Tour in South Africa. Young boys and girls of ages 10 to 19 can participate in these tournaments. It was at this tournament that I realized golf would change my life forever.

That morning could not have been any better. I woke up feeling great and energized, knowing this was going to be a great day. Everything I did just happened as if it was all a part of a plan, and I was just going through the motions. Before going downstairs, I stood where I had been standing for the last couple of days, reading the paper on the wall one last time: “I am good, I am great, my better IS the best” is what it said. This was a way to get my mind to believe that I was going to be the best player on the course that day no matter what. Notes like these are really beneficial and great to help me with my confidence and thought process. It help me to stay positive throughout the day which, like in any other sport or discipline, is critical as it can mean the difference between failure and success. Being not only physically but mentally prepared as well, I automatically had an upper hand on my fellow competitors. I kept repeating the phrase as I went through my morning routine. Even when I got into the car, it stayed in the back of my mind, sounding more and more convincing with every repetition.

Upon my arrival at the course, I could see all my competitors warming up on the putting green, getting a feel for what would play a major role in the deciding factor of this tournament. Not to be intimidated, I stuck to my routine and did everything at my own pace, greeting people around me and surrounding myself with positive conversation. I then made my way to the check-in area, where I was informed that I would be playing with two of the top juniors in our region. This was another positive thing, as playing with players who are at the same level as you are brings out the best in you and really forces you to stay focused at all times. On the driving range, I started my warm up routine. Starting with short 30-50 yard shots, I slowly made my way up to smashing drivers over the 330 yard mark. It couldn’t get any better; I hadn’t felt this good and comfortable over the ball in a really long time. I felt like I could hit any shot my mind could imagine. I knew that something special was awaiting me.

The view from the first tee was picturesque. I looked down from the elevated tee box onto the fairway, smelling the freshly cut Kikuyu, a type of grass unique to South Africa, filling my nose as I could hear the birds welcoming the morning. “Can I have the 8:15 tee time of Miguel Meyer, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, and Stefan Cronje on the tee please,” the started requested. He read us the local rules of the course and wished us the best of luck for the day. The time had come. The first hole was a pretty short but narrow par four, where if you didn’t hit the fairway with your tee shot you would be struggling to make par. A good start to the day is critical, as it can determine your mood and confidence levels for the rest of the round. He called me to the tee. I stepped up to the markers, still repeating my phrase in the back of my mind as I teed up the ball. I took a couple of steps back and stood behind my ball, visualizing the shot I wanted and needed to execute. I now was ready to “pull the trigger.” I set up the ball, and took one last look at my target. The perfect swing was inevitable, it took off rocketing to where I had visualized it to go. That tee shot was to set the mood for the rest of the 36 hole tournament. I was off to the perfect start, being four under par for my first 10 holes. Coming off a birdie at the 11th, I was on the 12th fairway at five under par.

I was already a couple of shots ahead of the field when the unimaginable happened. The shot was 223 yards to a pin placed on a slope that moved from the front to the back of the green, protected by two bunkers on the right and water surrounding the left side of the green. The prevailing wind was slightly from my left side and I was simply just hoping to safely negotiate my ball to the middle of the putting surface, but fate had other plans. The club I had selected for the shot was a six iron, it was a nearly perfectly struck shot. Starting off just left of the pin, it looked good all the way. As it landed on the green we could see it making its way towards the hole. In the blink of an eye the ball had disappeared. I had holed out for an eagle. This shot me up to seven under par for the tournament, leaping even further ahead of the field. I finished the morning round with an amazing score of 65, seven under par. This was only two shots off the course record set by the world famous South African golfer, Ernie Els, who played in our regional tournaments as a junior. I felt untouchable and, in my mind, I already had one hand on the trophy.

Starting the second round of the day, I found myself nine shots ahead of the field. The weather had deteriorated throughout the day and everyone was complaining, but for some reason this had no effect on me whatsoever. To me, it felt like a perfect day for golfing. When asked by others if the rain bothered me I simply replied, “I have a raincoat and umbrella, don’t I?” No matter what shot the course required me to hit, I was up for the challenge and was able to pull off shots that left my playing partners stunned. I was in what they would call “the zone”: it is a mental state of hypnosis where the equilibrium between adrenaline, focus, swing, body, and surroundings is achieved. Everything just comes easily and naturally and your confidence is sky-rocketing. I went on to finish my second round at four under par, shooting two consecutive rounds in the 60s: 65, 68, for a total of 11 under par, winning the tournament by a significant margin of 23 shots. This had never been done before. At the Awards Ceremony in my speech, the first person I thanked was our Lord Jesus Christ, as without Him none of this would have been possible, followed by thanks to all the sponsors, my playing partners, and my parents for the support they have given me throughout my golfing career. I received a standing ovation after giving my speech. This win had endless meaning to me, and gave me a feeling that not even words could describe. Every young and upcoming junior wanted to be like me. I was a role model in their eyes. This increased my desire and will to win and be the best by a great amount. The fire and passion for the game was burning inside of me.

That night, when things finally calmed down and I was alone in my room, I took another look at that paper on my wall, with the phrase “I am good, I am great and my better IS the best.” I knew that I was destined to be more than just another average club golfer. I hae a greater purpose to serve. So, I realized my dream of pursuing a golf scholarship at a college in America.

That tournament win changed my life forever and, over the time that has past, has not lost meaning. I achieved my dream of studying in America and am currently a student at The University of Akron and a member of their men’s first golf team. Forever I will remember that day that I had made history back home in South Africa. I truly hope that one of those youngsters that looked up to me as a role model will go on to break my record and achieve greatness and be able to reach their dreams.