Official Website of
Bryce McConnel Burke.

 

Bryce Burke Junior Golfer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 2011

Bryce returned home to South Africa from June to August for their (USA) summer break. However we most probably had the coldest winter here in South Africa and from a hot climate such as Orlando it was a shock for Bryce. He played a few rounds and was noticed playing at Gardner Ross by one the professionals who invited him to play in the Professional IGT Tour Series. He became the youngest player ever that we know off at age 14 to play in a Professional Tour Event. We were not sure what to expect and really only hoped he would play well and hold up against the pro's.

On Day 1 he recorded a 77 scoring 39 and 38 for the two respective nine holes. On Day 2 he started off well and was – 2 after two holes and finished -2 after the first nine. He pared the next 9 holes to finish on 36 for the second nine and total of 2 under 70 and moved him up to tied 14 th place. With the pro's playing for the money the last day was extremely tense and the nerves got the better of Bryce. He tended to stiffen up and pulled just about all his drives which left him fighting for pars. He ended up with an 83 to finish in 34 th position and other feat was that he had made the cut. He scores were 77-70-83 = 230.

He has played in two events since his return to the USA in August and has placed 2nd and 1st with two other events washed out due to tropical storms. In his first event he shot a first day score of 78 of which one hole cost him three shots. He was lying fourth after Day 1 but played much better on Day 2 shooting a level par 72 and climbed up into 2nd place at the Metrowest Summer Classic in St Cloud, Florida. The next event, the Grand Cypress Classic he won but with not with a good score. On day one he shot 84 (torrential rain from tropical storm left course waterlogged) and all players had difficulty in coping with the first round conditions with a best score recorded of 83. On day two it was intermittent rain again that caused play to stop and start and eventually severe thunderstorms curtailed play for the weekend. Bryce did manage a great level par 36 for the first nine on Day2 before rain stopped play and won by a clear four shots.

Bryce continues to be coached by Henri. Bryce has also made the school team although he is a first year junior and to date they have won all their events. Unfortunately he remains restricted to playing local tours as expenses prohibit travelling to the major events. He will start to lay these events again in January 2012.