Hess happy to return to ‘great platform’ Altron Big Easy Tour

Winner of the 2017 Altron Big Easy Tour Order of Merit, Jacquin Hess, says this circuit has created a platform for the country’s top amateurs to test their mettle against and claim their place among the best golfers, and therefore an important asset to South African golf.

Hess is to make his first start on this Tour in three years when he tees off at Huddle Park Golf Club on Monday in what will be the second tournament of the season. This 54-hole event will run from 6 to 8 June.

“This is also a great platform for the top amateur players to test themselves against the professionals,” notes Hess, who himself came through the development ranks. “We already had an amateur winner and that shows how strong golf in South Africa is. Well done to Golf RSA. The Altron Big Easy Tour will, definitely, get guys ready to play on the Sunshine Tour.”

It was on this same Tour that Hess made his breakthrough as a professional; winning the 2017 Altron Big Easy Tour Tour Championship tournament at the back of a strong season which saw the Robertson Golf Club player clinch the Order of Merit winner’s cheque. And then he played fewer tournaments in each of the subsequent seasons as he invested his energy into the more-demanding Sunshine Tour.

“The last time I played a Big Easy tournament was before Covid-19 hit hard,” Hess admits, “but the Sunshine Tour Schedule also never allowed me to play Big Easy. I have been focused on the Sunshine Tour. My intention now is to play all the  Big Easy events in June and July because there are no Sunshine Tour events.

“My goal will be to win. My goal will be to give myself opportunities to win. Huddle Park is a very tricky track. You need to drive the ball well. Also need to hit the fairways because the greens are smaller with lots of narrow entries. Huddle Park will provide low scores, I think, and I look forward to the tournament.”

The field at Huddle Park will be strong and the competition fierce, but Hess expects nothing less. “You also have world ranking points on offer, so that is massive,” Hess says, “I think Altron will help with lifting the standard of golf in South Africa and the Sunshine Tour. It is also great for the players to play for more money.”

Hess knows all about rising through the ranks and having to battle it out with seasoned professionals. He knows all about proving your worth. Now his mission is clear.

“My main goal is to win the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit. I already won the Big Easy  Order of Merit in 2017. With this new schedule, let’s see if I can win the Order of Merit for a second time.”

The Big Easy Tour was founded in 2011 with support from Ernie Els and counts current international star Christiaan Bezuidenhout among its former Order of Merit winners.