golf_Issue_09 by NewStyle Magazine

SCHAPER BUILT

INDIA

KENYA

Gauthier Alessandri Editor & Golf Coach

Sachin Sagar Photographer & Director

ISSUE 09

Golf Beyond Borders

Golf is no longer defined solely by tradition or geography. Across continents, a new generation of players is reshaping the sport with fresh energy, resilience, and ambition. They come from different cultures and experiences, yet they share the same determination to compete at the highest level and inspire the next generation of golfers around the world.

In this issue, we highlight four remarkable talents whose journeys reflect the evolving face of modern golf.

South African professional Jayden Schaper is establishing himself among the sport’s most promising young players. His victory at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open confirmed his ability to perform under pressure. Calm and consistent, he represents a modern generation of golfers built on focus and belief.

This issue also celebrates a historic milestone in women’s golf. Denmark’s Smilla Tarning Sønderby became the first-ever winner of the MCB Ladies Classic Mauritius. Her victory marked a key moment for women’s golf and highlighted Mauritius’ growing importance on the international golfing calendar.

From Kenya, Kanana Muthomi represents the rise of African golf talent. Balancing school, friendships, and elite competition, she is building her future on the international stage. After a recent championship victory for Kenya and strong performances, she continues to climb the rankings with discipline, creativity, and ambition.

From India, Diksha Dagar continues to establish herself as one of the most inspiring figures in international golf. A double Olympian, Arjuna Award recipient, and one of India’s leading golfers, she has built her career through discipline, resilience, and elegance. Competing despite profound hearing loss, she embodies perseverance and mental strength. During her recent appearance in Mauritius, she impressed with a spectacular hole-in-one.

Together, these stories show a sport becoming younger, more diverse, and truly global. Talent is emerging from New Delhi, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Copenhagen, bringing new identity to the game.

Few places embody this spirit better than Mauritius. With its oceanfront courses, sunshine, and hospitality, the island is one of the world’s most desirable golf destinations, where worldclass competition meets breathtaking scenery.

As golf evolves, one thing remains certain: its future will be shaped by diverse talent united by a shared passion for the game.

JAYDEN SCHAPER

BUILT TO WIN

AFRAISIA BANK MAURITIUS OPEN 2026

At just 25 years old, South African golfer Jayden Schaper is steadily carving out his place among golf’s most promising talents on the international stage. Following a landmark victory at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and a series of composed, high-level performances, the young golfer reflects on a journey defined by early commitment, growing maturity, and an unwavering trust in his game. Between pressure, passion, and ambition, he offers a candid and inspiring insight into life on tour.

Photos : Sachin Sagar

Location : Heritage La Réserve Golf Links, Mauritius

“Seeing the ball go in, looking up at the sky, and hearing the crowd go crazy… it was just amazing,” he recalls of his breakthrough victory in Mauritius, a moment that remains etched in his memory as one of pure emotion and disbelief. It was the kind of situation every player dreams of, yet never truly expects to unfold. Everything came together at exactly the right time, and to seal victory on the final hole with an eagle made it all the more remarkable.

His recent run of strong performances, including back-to-back victories and another win in Mauritius, has naturally led to questions about whether he feels he has reached a new stage in his career. For Jayden, it comes down to experience. Having spent several years on tour, he now feels significantly more comfortable and far more confident in the decisions he makes on the course. His game, he explains, is in a very solid place, “I feel comfortable, I’m swinging well, hitting the ball well, and scoring well.” More than anything, he has learned to trust himself and his preparation.

That sense of calm under pressure is not new to him. It is something he traces back to his junior and amateur years, where he was already exposed to playoff situations and high-stakes moments. In those instances, his focus narrows to the basics, breathing, staying calm, and trusting his swing. Over time, those experiences have built a foundation of confidence that now allows him to approach pressure situations with clarity rather than tension. “I just try to stay focused, trust my game, and commit to each shot,” he explains. These, he says, are the moments you practise for, and the ones he has come to enjoy the most.

“ I just try to stay focused, trust my game, and commit to each shot. ”

- JAYDEN SCHAPER

His journey into golf began in South Africa, shaped strongly by his father, who introduced him to both football and golf. While football was part of his family environment, golf quickly became central to his daily life.

After school, Fridays were often spent at the local club near his home, playing nine holes or engaging in chipping and putting competitions, or simply spending hours on the practice range. It was an environment that naturally nurtured both discipline and enjoyment, without ever feeling forced.

There was no single turning point that led him to believe he could become a professional golfer. Instead, it was a gradual but firm commitment. Around the age of 11, he made the decision to stop playing football and dedicate himself fully to golf. “From the moment I started playing golf, I made a decision to fully commit to it,” he says. From that moment, the goal was always clear, to become a professional golfer and ultimately compete among

the best in the world. As he progressed through junior golf and completed school, that ambition became more concrete, reinforced by strong performances in elite amateur events, including a sixth-place finish at The Open before turning professional.

Among his strengths today, he highlights consistency and composure under pressure. His swing has long been reliable, but it is the combination of preparation and trust in his game plan that now defines his performances in critical moments. For him, pressure situations are not something to fear but something to embrace, the very reason he trains and competes at the highest level. “Those are the moments you practice for,” he says simply.

Reflecting on his career so far, one moment stands above the rest, his first professional victory, achieved the week before his win in Mauritius. With his family present, parents, close friends, cousins, and relatives, the occasion carried added emotional weight. Coming down the playoff, he recalls a key bunker shot followed by a decisive eagle putt. Watching the ball drop and realising he had secured his first professional title remains one of the most powerful memories of his career. Mauritius, too, holds a special place in his journey. Having grown up spending summers there with his family, returning for tournaments feels almost familiar. It is both a competitive destination and a place of relaxation, where time is split between the golf course, the beach, snorkelling, and the resort environment. Few weeks in professional golf offer such a combination of intensity and lifestyle, making it a location he consistently looks forward to. Looking ahead, his objectives remain clear. Short term, the focus is always on winning again and continuing to build momentum. Long term, the ambition is

to earn a PGA Tour card, a goal shaped by watching the world’s best players compete in majors and on golf’s biggest stage. That is where he ultimately wants to belong.

For young Mauritian golfers hoping to follow a similar path, his message is simple but grounded in experience. Enjoyment must remain at the centre of the journey. Hard work is essential, but the game should never lose its sense of passion and joy. Being on a golf course, he emphasises, is already a privilege. It is through enjoyment that dedication naturally follows, and through dedication that progress and success eventually come.

At 25, Jayden Schaper is still at the beginning of what promises to be a significant career, but his foundation is already clear: a deep love for the game, a calm presence under pressure, and an ambition that continues to rise with every tournament.

NOS CONSEILS

Le Swing : Les secrets pour un jeu précis

Sur le green, le golf exige virtuosité, puissance et précision. Et au cœur de ce jeu, le swing, fait vibrer la balle avec adresse et vigueur. Embarquez pour un voyage vers un swing parfait, où la technique sera votre alliée pour sublimer votre jeu et atteindre l'apogée de la performance sur le parcours de golf.

La posture

Prenez position avec panache ! Debout, les pieds écartés, tels des fondations solides, genoux légèrement fléchis. Gardez le dos droit, les épaules déliées. Cette posture vous propulsera vers un équilibre inébranlable et démultipliera votre puissance à chaque swing.

L'alignement

Harmonie parfaite entre votre corps et la cible ! Vos pieds, vos hanches et vos épaules se doivent d'être parallèles à la ligne de jeu. Ayez recours à un repère visuel, tel un club au sol, pour ajuster avec élégance votre positionnement.

La prise du club

Ferme, mais sans pression excessive, parez-vous d'une prise maîtrisée. Placez la partie charnue de votre main gauche (pour les droitiers) au sommet du grip, puis enlacez-le avec grâce. Votre main droite vient se glisser sous la main gauche, légèrement appuyée. Ainsi, vous dompterez le club avec fluidité.

Le backswing

Déployez toute votre prestance en ramenant le club en arrière. Stabilité du corps et rotation des épaules, tout en gardant des bras décontractés. Évitez les écarts brusques qui pourraient troubler votre élan. Un backswing contrôlé et régulier fera des merveilles.

L'impact et le follow-through À l'impact, gardez la tête immobile, les yeux rivés sur la balle. Avec une accélération mesurée, transférez votre poids du côté arrière vers l'avant et frappez la balle avec détermination. Après l'impact, prolongez votre geste avec grâce et fluidité dans un follow-through accompli. C'est ainsi que puissance et précision fusionneront à la perfection.

L'entraînement et la pratique

La quête de la perfection du swing requiert temps et assiduité. Entraînez-vous assidûment, affinez chaque aspect de votre swing. Faites appel à un professionnel du golf pour des conseils personnalisés et des ajustements sur mesure. La magie d'une caméra pour enregistrer votre swing peut également s'avérer un allié précieux pour analyser et peaufiner votre technique.

Un swing parfait n'est pas le fruit du hasard ou du talent inné, mais le résultat d'une technique affinée au fil du temps. En suivant ces astuces, en vous entraînant avec constance et en cultivant la patience, vous hisserez votre swing vers des sommets vertigineux et transcenderez votre jeu de golf. Souvenez-vous que le golf est un art fascinant, alors savourez chaque parcours et prenez plaisir à travailler votre technique pour atteindre le swing parfait, celui qui envoutera le green à chaque coup.

ACTIVITÉS SUR LE GREEN !

18 trous

Belle Mare Plage Hotel

Tel : 402.27.38

Email : legend@bellemare-plagehotel.com constancehotels.com

Touessrok Golf Course

Tel : 402.77.20

Email : info@ileauxcerfsgolf.com sunresortshotels.com

Anahita Golf Course (Four Seasons)

Tel : 402.31.25

Email : Teetime.anahita@four-sesons.com

Anahitamauritius.com

Tamarina Golf Course

Tel : 401.30.00

Email : proshop@tamarina.mu Tamarina.mu

Avalon Golf Estate

Tel : 430.58.00

Email : olf@avalon.mu

Paradise Golf Course

Tel : 401.58.73

Email : golf.pa@bchot.com Paradis-hotel.com

Golf du Château (Bel Ombre)

Tel : 623.56.00

Email : domainedebelombre.mu

Mauritius Gymkhana Club

Tel : 696.14.04

Email : mgymclub@intnet.mu

9 trous

Le St Géran Golf Course

Tel : 401.16.88

Maritim Golf Course

Tel : 204.10.00

Where

it all begins

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The information featured in this advert does not constitute tax, financial or legal advice. It is recommended terms and conditions. We invite you to contact us to check whether these offers meet your needs and whether Mauritius as a banking institution and by the Financial Services Commission as Investment Adviser (Unrestricted)

recommended that independent professional and tax advice be sought. The products and services are subject to whether they are suited to your profile. The Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd is duly licensed by the Bank of (Unrestricted) Custodian (CIS and Non-CIS) and Distributor of Financial Products.

Dandy ·

Photo credits: Mitchell Rouse, Matthieu Colin

SMILLA TARNING SØNDERBY

Photos : Sachin Sagar

Location : Constance Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius

Winner of the inaugural MCB Ladies Classic in Mauritius, Smilla Tarning Sønderby continues to build an impressive career on the Ladies European Tour. From growing up beside a golf course in Denmark to lifting professional titles on the international stage, her journey reflects discipline, resilience, and a deep passion for the game. In this interview, she reflects on her victory in Mauritius, her defining career moments, and the special bond shared with her caddie, her mother.

provided by the sport. After my time at university in the United States, I decided to turn professional in 2022 to pursue this dream at the highest level.

You had a strong amateur career before joining the Ladies European Tour. What were the most important moments that shaped you as a golfer?

You started golf at a very young age in Denmark. Can you tell us how your journey into golf began and what inspired you to become a professional player?

I started playing golf at the age of 2, as I grew up right next to a golf course in Denmark. Very quickly, the sport became a true passion. I have always been a competitive person and I immediately loved the challenge

There were several key moments, but one of the most important was a decisive 6-foot putt during the national championship that allowed my team to reach the semi-finals. It proved to me that I was capable of performing under extreme pressure. Qualifying for the US Open in 2022 was also a major milestone in my journey. Last but not the least, I won my first professional title in 2023 in Ireland, and now, I have also had the joy of winning in Mauritius.

Winning the very first MCB Ladies Classic in Mauritius is already part of golf history. What did this victory mean to you personally?

This victory means a great deal to me. It shows how far I have come and everything I have learned throughout my years as a professional golfer. It is also a moment of great pride and happiness.

Your birdie on the final hole was spectacular and secured the title. What was going through your mind on the 18th green? I was very focused and trying to stay calm and present in the moment. When the putt went in, I felt immense happiness, joy, and a lot of pride.

Your mother was your caddie during the tournament. How special was it to share this victory together as a family? It was extremely special. If I had to sum it up in one sentence, I would say it is the greatest moment I have ever shared with my mother. Experiencing this together will remain an unforgettable memory.

Mauritius hosted its very first Ladies European Tour event this year. How did you find the atmosphere, the organisation, and the Legend Course at Constance Belle Mare Plage? The atmosphere was absolutely great. I felt very happy, calm, and at peace all week. I enjoyed everything about the place. The people, the views, the mindset, the food as well as all the activities. The course was fun to play, it was in a great shape, and we especially enjoyed the natural settings, as my mum took around 100 pictures of different plants.

You mentioned after your win that Mauritius is “such an amazing place.” What did you enjoy the most about the island during your stay?

The crystal-clear waters, the kind people, the wonderful food, the mesmerising nature and the animals. Just all the colours on the island in general.

Women’s golf is growing around the world. From your experience on the Ladies European Tour, how important is it to bring international tournaments to new destinations like Mauritius? It is a wonderful opportunity for the Ladies European Tour to bring women’s golf to destinations such as Mauritius. Beyond the beauty of the island, events like this help showcase the sport to new audiences, inspire local players, and highlight the quality of international golf in a unique setting. The atmosphere throughout the week made the experience even more special.

After this memorable win in Mauritius, what are your goals for the rest of the season and what dreams do you still hope to achieve in your career?

I would love to have more weeks like the one in Mauritius. After my win, I qualified for the AIG Women’s Open and I’m super excited to experience that. My goal is to keep improving, perform well under pressure, and continue inspiring people through my journey and my passion for the game.

RISING SWING, FEARLESS FUTURE KANANA MUTHOMI

Photos : Sachin Sagar

Location : Tamarina Golf Club, Mauritius

At thirteen, she’s already playing far beyond her years, and she’s only getting started.

Kanana Muthomi is part of a new wave of talent reshaping the face of African golf. Balancing school, friendships, and high-level competition with striking maturity, the young Kenyan is steadily building her path toward the international stage, driven by discipline, creativity, and a clear vision of her future.

At just thirteen years old, Kanana Muthomi is not simply a promising talent, she is already moving forward with the confidence of someone who has found her path early. Originally from Kenya, she entered the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) at the age of eleven, a rare achievement that speaks volumes about both her natural ability and her daily discipline. Her schedule, in fact, is a carefully balanced act. «I mostly do school early in the morning and golf in the afternoon and hang out with friends when I don't have golf, » she

explains simply. A well-structured routine that allows her to remain a teenager like any other, between fairways and time spent with friends.

Because beyond the course, Kanana nurtures other passions. Drawing, painting, cycling, content creation… « I enjoy drawing, painting, cycling, and content creation, » she says, revealing a curious and creative personality, far from the cliché of a young athlete entirely consumed by competition.

And the question often arises, does such a demanding life leave room for a normal teenage experience? Her answer is clear. « Not really, because if I'm not playing golf, I usually have a day out with friends or just enjoy a resting day at home. » No sense of missing out, but rather a balance that seems to come naturally.

On the sporting side, her journey is already impressive. A member of the Kenyan national team, she has made her mark in major regional competitions, particularly in East Africa. Next step, major international events such as the World Amateur Team Championship scheduled in Singapore in 2025, where she will represent her country.

On the green, what stands out is her maturity, sharp focus, strategic reading of the game, and a swing that is already remarkably controlled. But this early success also brings another reality, inspiring other young athletes.

« Sometimes, I do feel the pressure knowing I inspire other young athletes as I always have to set a good example for good mental strength and good sportsmanship. » A responsibility she handles with awareness and composure.

Beyond her results, Kanana is evolving in an environment where golf is still not easily accessible. Limited infrastructure, high costs, lack of media exposure, succeeding in such a context is a challenge in itself. This makes her rise all the more remarkable and positions her, despite her young age, as an ambassador for African golf.

Supported by her family, she moves forward steadily, with a clear vision of her future. « To get into a D1 college scholarship and hopefully make it on tour, » she says, as if it were only natural. Study, improve, and eventually join the professional circuit, the path is already set.

With Kanana Muthomi, everything already seems in place, talent, discipline, and that rare ability to remain grounded in a teenage life while aiming for the highest level. A trajectory that, quietly but surely, could help reshape the future of African golf in the years to come.

«

I mostly do school early in the morning and golf in the afternoon and hang out with friends when I don't have golf. »

Kanana Muthomi

DIKSHA DAGAR DESTIN DE CHAMPIONNE

« Dans le silence qu’elle apprivoise depuis l’enfance, Diksha Dagar a appris à faire résonner l’excellence sur les plus grands greens du monde. »

Photos : Sachin Sagar

Location : Constance Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius

Double olympienne, lauréate de l’Arjuna Award et figure montante du golf mondial, la jeune Indienne Diksha Dagar s’impose bien au-delà des fairways. Entre résilience personnelle, performances internationales et élégance sportive, cette championne au destin hors norme incarne une nouvelle génération d’athlètes capables de transformer chaque obstacle en victoire.

À seulement vingt-cinq ans, Diksha Dagar incarne déjà l’une des trajectoires les plus singulières et admirées du sport indien contemporain. Sur les greens du monde entier, cette gauchère au regard calme et au swing précis impose depuis plusieurs saisons une élégance rare, mêlée d’une détermination qui force le respect. Derrière les trophées et les classements, son histoire raconte surtout celle d’une jeune femme qui a transformé les obstacles en moteur d’excellence.

Née le 14 décembre 2000 à Jhajjar, dans l’État de l’Haryana, Diksha Dagar découvre le golf dès l’enfance sous l’impulsion de son père, le colonel Narinder Dagar, ancien golfeur de haut niveau. Très tôt, elle doit pourtant composer avec une déficience auditive profonde. Appareillée dès l’âge de six ans, elle apprend à lire sur les lèvres et à évoluer dans un univers sportif où la communication, la concentration et la gestion émotionnelle jouent un rôle essentiel. Loin de freiner ses ambitions, cette particularité forge chez elle une discipline intérieure remarquable.

L’ascension de la jeune Indienne est fulgurante. Entre 2015 et 2018, elle domine le golf amateur féminin dans son pays, devenant numéro un dans plusieurs catégories d’âge avant de s’imposer comme la meilleure joueuse amateur d’Inde. Ses performances sur le circuit asiatique annoncent déjà une future championne : victoire au Singapore Ladies Amateur Championship en 2018, podiums en Malaisie et au Sri Lanka, participation aux championnats du monde amateurs et aux Jeux asiatiques de 2018. À quatorze ans à peine, Diksha Dagar apparaît déjà comme un phénomène du golf indien.

Puis vient l’année 2019, celle de la révélation internationale. À seulement dix-huit ans, elle passe professionnelle après avoir décroché sa qualification sur le Ladies European Tour. Quelques mois plus tard, elle entre dans l’histoire en remportant l’Investec South African Women’s Open. Elle devient alors la plus jeune Indienne à triompher sur le circuit eu-

ropéen féminin et seulement la deuxième joueuse de son pays à réaliser un tel exploit. Cette victoire sud-africaine marque le début d’une nouvelle ère pour le golf féminin indien.

Depuis, Diksha Dagar n’a cessé de confirmer. Sa victoire au Tipsport Czech Ladies Open en 2023, son succès lors de l’Aramco Team Series à Londres, ainsi qu’une impressionnante régularité dans les grands rendez-vous européens, ont installé son nom parmi les références du golf féminin asiatique. La saison 2023 reste particulièrement marquante : troisième de l’ordre du mérite du Ladies European Tour, plusieurs podiums majeurs, une présence constante dans le haut des classements et une reconnaissance grandissante à l’échelle internationale.

Mais réduire Diksha Dagar à ses seuls résultats serait oublier la portée symbolique de son parcours. Car la jeune femme est également devenue une figure majeure du handisport mondial. En 2017, elle décroche une médaille d’argent aux Deaflympics avant de remporter l’or en 2021 puis de conserver son titre en 2025 à Tokyo, avec une domination impressionnante. Elle demeure

aujourd’hui l’unique golfeuse au monde à avoir participé à la fois aux Deaflympics et aux Jeux olympiques.

Sa présence aux Jeux olympiques de Tokyo 2020 puis de Paris 2024 a consacré son statut d’ambassadrice du sport indien. Dans un pays où le cricket occupe traditionnellement tout l’espace médiatique, Diksha Dagar contribue à faire émerger une autre image du sport féminin : moderne, internationale et profondément inspirante.

Cette reconnaissance dépasse désormais le cadre sportif. Lauréate du prestigieux Arjuna Award, figurant dans la liste « Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 », régulièrement honorée par les plus hautes autorités indiennes, Diksha Dagar représente une génération d’athlètes capables de conjuguer excellence sportive, résilience personnelle et rayonnement international.

Sur les parcours, son style fascine. Grande, athlétique, dotée d’un jeu de fers particulièrement précis, elle construit ses performances avec une maîtrise tactique qui contraste avec son jeune âge. Ses proches décrivent une compétitrice méthodique, calme sous pression, capable de maintenir une concentration exceptionnelle dans les moments décisifs. Une qualité sans doute née de ce rapport particulier au silence qu’elle a appris à apprivoiser depuis l’enfance.

Aujourd’hui, Diksha Dagar regarde déjà vers l’avenir. Les Jeux asiatiques de 2026, une qualification durable sur le circuit américain de la LPGA, une place dans le Top 50 mondial et, à plus long terme, les Jeux olympiques de Los Angeles en 2028 figurent parmi ses ambitions affichées. Après près de deux cents tournois internationaux disputés dans plus de quarante pays, elle poursuit son chemin avec la même sérénité ambitieuse.

Dans un monde sportif souvent dominé par le bruit, les déclarations tapageuses et les trajectoires éphémères, Diksha Dagar avance autrement. Avec discrétion, constance et élégance. Et c’est peut-être précisément là que réside la véritable force de cette jeune championne indienne : dans sa capacité à faire du silence une signature, et de la persévérance un art.

Diksha Dagar devient alors la plus jeune Indienne à triompher sur le circuit européen féminin et seulement la deuxième joueuse de son pays à réaliser un tel exploit. Cette victoire sud-africaine marque le début d’une nouvelle ère pour le golf féminin indien.