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Since Somerset West born-and-bred professional golfer, Trevor Immelman, won the US Masters at Augusta on Sunday, the DistrictMail has been inundated with callers wanting to talk about his win. Not only was this remarkable achievement a lifelong dream held by Trevor, it also made him the first South African to win the US Masters in 30 years (the last South African golfer who won the event was Gary Player, Trevor's childhood hero, who took the title in 1978).

Maintaining his composure throughout, Trevor impressed one and all as he went on to secure the prized green jacket with a three-shot victory with his three-over-par 75.

Tiger Woods, who at the start of the week was the overwhelming favourite after winning nine times in his previous 11 tournaments worldwide, had to settle for second place after closing with a 72.

Speaking to the media shortly after receiving his green jacket from last year's champion, American Zach Johnson, Trevor said "It was a tough day out there and I was just trying to be tough.

"That's all I kept saying to myself, just hang in there and play one shot at a time. There's a disaster around every corner, as I showed on 16. I just tried to hang in there and I'm proud of myself for doing that. I can?t believe I did it."

Trevor added that he had gained a major boost from Gary Player after Saturday?s third round when he left him a telephone message saying he was confident the young South African would win.

"It meant an awful lot," he added. "I played it to my whole family on speaker phone. Mr Player has been at me the whole week, since Tuesday when we played together, telling me to believe in myself, telling me I'm good enough to do it."

Few people realised that only four months ago Trevor had to undergo surgery to remove a non-cancerous tumour on his diaphragm.

This must've been a big scare for the young pro and his family, but he said it also gave him time to reflect on his golf and the immense talent he has been blessed with and made him a stronger person.

What is so wonderful about this win is that from a very young age Trevor decided he wanted to become a professional golfer and win a Masters and from then on worked hard at his golf and let nothing get in the way of reaching his goals.

Many Helderberg residents who knew Trevor as a young boy (he attended Somerset West Primary school and then Hottentots Holland High) will bear testimony to his drive to wanting to practice golf.

If his parents were unable to take him to a golf course to practice, he would beg a ride from a family friend to get there.

Many Somerset West golfers who saw him play as a young 12-year-old could not believe what they were seeing. He was scarcely bigger than the golf bag, which he insisted on carrying himself, but he hit a ball much straighter and further than many people older than him.

His parents recognised his uncanny talent from a very early age and did everything in their power to get him the best possible tuition, which included spending time with Gary Player.

It wasn't long before he started winning club championships and was selected for various WP Junior teams, SA Junior Teams and a little later SA Senior Teams.

He then started testing his skills overseas and in between writing critical high school exams he returned home sporting many an international trophy.

After school he played on the SA amateur circuit for a while and then on the overseas amateur circuit before he finally turned pro. He has since had his ups and downs as a pro, but more ups than down and is currently one of the top earners on the pro scene.

Trevor, his wife Carminita and their young son Jacob currently live in Orlando, Florida, but he admits that he loves nothing better than coming back to his old home town and having a braai with old friends.

Among the many e-mails to reach the DistrictMail was one from Simon Grindrod, mayoral committee member and Economic Development and Tourism, who said "I want a civic reception for Immelman after his Masters victory."

Mr Grindrod also said "On behalf of the City of Cape Town I want to congratulate Somerset West-born Trevor Immelman on his fantastic victory in the US Masters.

"He is our pride and joy and I will be approaching my mayoral committee colleagues in Cape Town to find some way of officially acknowledging his great achievement. I will be raising this with my colleagues at the next scheduled mayoral committee meeting on Wednesday (16 April).

"I am going to strongly recommend a civic reception hosted by the City. Our champion golfer must come and show off his 'Green Jacket' to his proud fellow Capetonians.

"In terms of marketing Cape Town as a City of winners, Trevor Immelman has once again put us on the world map.

Cape Town-based sport stars such as Trevor Immelman, Bennie McCarthy, Quinton Fortune, Geraldine Pillay and others have shown the world that Cape Town produces world-beaters."

A big Somerset West Trevor Immelman fan, Cindy Sleigh, who knew the family well when they lived here, has organised that the Somerset West Golf Club act as a central point where all Helderbergers wanting to congratulate Trevor may come to the club and write a personal note or letter (paper will be supplied) to him which Cindy will then bind and post to Trevor in Florida.

Anyone wanting to send a congratulatory letter to Trevor may go to the Somerset West Golf Club between 08:30 and 17:00 from Monday to Friday and ask for Lisa at the reception desk.

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