SunBet Challenge hosted by Sun City | 05 Jun 24 | |||||
Blaauw received a scholarship in 2007 to attend the USA's Oklahoma City University, from which point his game flourished. He won the 2007 Texas Intercollegiate Championship, before returning to South Africa the following year to conquer the local amateur ranks. In 2008, he won both the SA Amateur Strokeplay and Matchplay, along with the Free State/Northern Cape Open.
In the same year, Jacques represented South Africa at the Eisenhower Trophy in Australia and captained the SA four-man team for a once off test match against France. Jacques was later named Golf Digest and Compleat Golfer's amateur of the year for 2008, and decided it was time to turn pro.