The sad news that Jon Trasamar, Erik van Rooyen’s college teammate who helped the South African win the World Wide Technology Championship, passed away last Saturday at the age of 33 from Stage Four melanoma has left the golf world in mourning.
Although there has been no word from the undoubtedly devastated van Rooyen, the PGA Tour announced the news of Trasamar’s passing.
When Alex Gaugert, van Rooyen’s caddie, was seen falling into the arms of the South African golfer moments after breaking through for a maiden Tour victory on November 5th on the Tiger Woods-designed course in Mexico, Trasamar’s battle came to light instantly.
After the couple was unable to be apart for a short while, the tears began to pour freely, and shortly after, van Rooyen gave one of the most moving and intense post-round interviews.
Van Rooyen needed to perform well over the final three weeks of the season to keep his playing privileges for 2024. He started the week ranked No. 125 in the FedExCup Fall standings.
Two days prior to the World Wide Technology Championship starting, Van Rooyen and Gaugert, another former Minnesota teammate, were informed of Trasamar’s deteriorating health. For the entire week, they stayed in the field and struggled with their feelings.
