Three Musketeers from Border relish EEFF pressure

From left to right, Lwazi Gqira, Zethu Myeki and Lusanda Dikeleyo have joined the Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation this year

A prodigy is a gifted person - someone who has far beyond usual talent. Late last year, the Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation (EEFF) recognised these qualities in a Border trio that could one day stamp their names in golfing headlines around the world.

On the surface, life seems much the same for Lusanda Dikileyo, Zethu Myeki and Lwazi Gqira. They attend school from Monday through Friday, practice their golf in the afternoons and take part in competitions on the weekend. These days though, the three South African Golf Development Board learners from West Bank have a little extra bounce when they take to the fairways of East London Golf Club.

"Last year the EEFF held Ernie Els Talent Search Golf Days in six regions across South Africa," explained Michelle de Vries, head coach of the SAGDB Border Region. "We heard that 13 players from the SAGDB were selected for their 2010 intake, but when I learned that three of our learners from Border had qualified for the program, I was absolutely stunned!"

"The Three Musketeers", as the trio are called these days, have been in the SAGDB program under De Vries's tuition for some years.

"Lwazi, aka The Pro, has great talent and the self-belief that he can make it," said De Vries. "Lusanda is a great ball striker and has an impressive short game. Zethu has a great work ethic to go with a lot of talent. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for three very dedicated, determined and deserving golfers."

After the trio were identified as possible candidates at the talent search golf day at East London Golf Club, they were put through their paces by George Harvey at the Gary Player School of Excellence at Vodaworld in Johanneburg in October 2009.

"There were a lot of very talented golfers at the assessment in Johannesburg and you really had to stand out," said 17-year-old Gqira from Dunken Village. "It was very tough on the nerves, but we all pulled through. I think the foundation that the SAGBD program laid for us was the deciding factor. The SAGDB taught us the basics well and moulded us into the golfers we are now. I think that is what the guys from the EEFF saw."

His immediate ambition is simple. "I want to get to scratch before the end of the year."

Sixteen-year-old Dikileyo, also from Dunken Village, said that one of their goals is to improve their individual scoring averages. "We sat down with Michelle to work out our goals for the year. We are only in the program for one year. It's up to us to perform in school and on the golf course if we want to stay on in the EEFF program next year. If we continue to improve, we will keep our associate membership with the EEFF. But the aim is really to win tournaments and move up to a higher level to become full foundation members."

Myeki, 16, from Mdantsane in East London added that she was especially happy that the EEFF program has changed. "They no longer have the hostel in George, which means we can stay at home with our families and have their ongoing support. But we still get all the benefits of the program, like the financial assistance with school, coaching and tournaments."

Foundation CEO Hannes van Niekerk explained. "Because of our restructuring for 2010 we have been able to offer more talented youngsters membership of the Foundation. The learners will stay in the schools where they are and we will support them regarding their school fees," Van Niekerk said.

"On the golfing side, we will support them regarding their membership fees, coaching and playing in tournaments."

"Wherever they are, the local pro will provide coaching. This is an exciting phase in the Foundation's 10-year history and we are looking forward to providing golf and education opportunities to these deserving youngsters, many of whom have very little at all in the way of resources."

Golf provides a unique platform for children. As a game that teaches an integral set of rules and values, golf can be used to form, shape and sustain a culture of integrity, perseverance, confidence and respect.

"The EEFF upholds these same values that we try to instil with the children in the SAGDB's program and we are honoured that they have recognised these qualities in our learners," said Millie Zim-Dondashe, the SAGDB development manager for the Border region. "We hope they will perform very well and get motivated to be the best golfers in the program. This is an opportunity for them to show just how competitive they are."