It was the greatest victory of his career to be sure, and yet it wasn't the first time he had won a green jacket.

His Augusta jacket was actually his 5th, Immelman having previously won four Green Jackets at the Western Province Golf Foundation's Junior Masters, annually held at Cape Town's Mowbray Golf Club..

The hugely talented Immelman played in five the WPGF Junior Masters events between the ages of 12 and 17 and after getting into the prizes at his first attempt in 1992, he went to win four times between 1994 and 1997.

For 18 years the prestigious event involving top under-18 juniors from the Western and Eastern Cape and the grape-growing region of the Boland has been sponsored by Cape Town's Golfing Association of Pinelands in the firm belief that it is an important stepping stone to future greatness.

Drawing on their own funds and on the goodwill of club members and friends, the GAP have always offered a variety of highly desirable prizes, including the coveted green jacket for the winner.

"The boys love it - and they are going to love it even more now that one of them has won the Augusta version," the Association's current President, Neil Johnson said this week.

"They value it above all else and we earnestly believe that the event has helped put a good number of talented youngsters on the winning track over the years with Trevor (Immelman) being the prime example.

In a letter sent to the Association's inspirational president of the time, the late Brian McCabe. after his last win in 1997, Immelman, still 17, wrote: "Again many thanks to the Golfing Association of Pinelands for sponsoring the WP Junior Masters.

"As they say in the classics, 'all goods things come to an end' but I feel greatly privileged to have played in five Masters tournaments, my first in 1992 still being fresh in my memory.

If my playing schedule permits, I will be honoured to hand the winner his green Jacket at next year's Masters.

Immelman adds: "As mentioned by your vice captain in his speech, your personal interest and organistational skills are what drives this major junior tournament and from my side I want to thank you for your great encouragement and friendship."

Clearly the young Immelman was as much the gentleman golfer he was then as he is now and Johnson says he and his colleagues at Pinelands are proud to have played a role in his growth to the very highest level.

To young sportsman, endless searching for significant steps to boost their confidence and mark their ascendancy to the upper echelons, Green Jackets, like those that the Golf Association of Pinelands gives away each year are priceless.

Long live the practice.