BC's Jared du Toit Off To Arizona State
Jared du Toit Poses With Fairview Mountain Executive Professional Brian McDonald Prior To His Practice Round For The BC Amateur - Image Credit Alfie Lau
by Alfie Lau
Two years ago, when Jared du Toit was graduating from Selkirk Secondary, he didn’t have many options for his post-secondary golf career.
It was a stroke of good luck that John Means at Idaho saw something in du Toit and got two solid seasons out of his leader. Not only did du Toit lead the Vandals in scoring (69.61), he won three times in his sophomore season.
Means also told du Toit he was in the top two or three players he’s ever coached and not only did Means mean that, he knew that it might be time to let du Toit spread his wings.
And those wings will take du Toit to Tempe, AZ this August, where he’s transferring from Idaho to Arizona State for his junior season.
“I’m really excited,” said du Toit as he finished preparations for the BC Amateur at Fairview Mountain. “To be able to play for Coach (Tim) Mickelson and play with world-class players like Jon Rahm, that’s pretty unbelievable for me.”
Du Toit enters the amateur as one of the favourites, as the maturity gained from two years playing college golf, leading his team and improving in all facets of the game, are clearly evident.
Not only does he help younger brother Russell with his game, Jared is amongst the friendliest players in the field, spending hours on the putting green and chipping areas with his friends and new acquaintances.
The Kimberley native said leaving Idaho wasn’t easy, but his coaches encouraged him, signing his release and letting him play for one of the top men’s golf programs in the country. “Could I have gotten this when I got out of high school? No,” said du Toit. “Now I think I have a real chance to learn and compete at this level.”
The biggest reason for the move was du Toit wants to challenge himself. “I thought I could do more and when I talked to my coaches, they were so supportive,” said du Toit, who will move into a condo his parents bought in Scottsdale several years ago.
Du Toit is also looking forward to the obvious benefits of being able to golf year-round in Arizona. “You can golf most of the year in Idaho,” he said, “but it’s not like what I’ll have in (Tempe).”
Not only does Arizona State have its own world-class course, the Karsten Course, it has a double-ended driving range and team facilities the envy of all other golf programs.
“I’m excited, there’s no other way to put it,” said du Toit.