Clarke helps give miner's son golden opportunity
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.There is a world of difference between Darren Clarke and Omar Sandys, not least in size. Yesterday Omar, from the township of Welkom in South Africa, was indebted to Big Darren for the loan of a sweater which looked like a king-sized duvet. "I don't know what I would have done without warm clothes,'' Sandys said, as a cold wind blew through here.
The 24-year-old is indebted to Clarke, Lee Westwood and their manager Chubby Chandler for a lot more than a new wardrobe. They were responsible for organising his appearance at the English Open which starts today his first visit overseas. They met in South Africa earlier in the year and Clarke's sponsor, Dimension Data, a South African company, has helped to finance the trip.
"A lot of people told us that Omar's one of the best young players and that he has a bright future,'' Clarke said. "We were happy to give him a helping hand." Chandler added: "He drives the ball about 260 yards, which is not bad for somebody weighing 8st 11lb.'' That is about 12 stone lighter than Clarke.
Last week Omar finished in the top 20 in a small tournament near Newbury and won £650. On Tuesday, in a practice round here with Clarke, he finished a stroke behind the player ranked 10th in the world. "I used to look up to this man on television,'' Sandys said. "So I really wanted to give him a game.''
Sandys, the son of a gold mine worker, concentrated on golf after gaining a purple belt in karate. He only turned professional in 1999, and his best finish was joint sixth at this year's Botswana Open. "I couldn't afford to play at a golf club,'' he said, "so I used to practice at a stadium or a park. I used to travel to junior competitions on the mine bus.''
Last week Clarke gave him some new clubs and has taken him under his wing here. Sandys is staying on- site at the four-star Forest of Arden Hotel and spent Tuesday night practising his chipping and putting in his bedroom until midnight.
"I am so pleased to have this chance," he said. "It is the biggest opportunity I've ever had in my life. My life is about practice and if you work hard the more you put in the more you get out. If I do my best I will get satisfaction and I hope the guys who brought me out here will also be proud of me. I'm looking forward to driving a Mercedes, but I'll have to work hard to achieve that.''
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments