Graeme van der Nest - Eastern Cape golf's unsung hero

PGA professional Graeme van der Nest gives instruction to a group of SAGDB youngsters

If you ask John Bailey, the South African Golf Development Board's (SAGDB) development manager for Eastern Province, to describe Humewood head professional Graeme van der Nest, Bailey quickly responds with: "One of Eastern Cape golf's unsung heroes".

Van Der Nest represented Eastern Province from 1988 through to 1994 in all age groups from U-15 to seniors, turned professional in 1995 and played with success on the South African and European Challenge Tours.

His appointment as head professional at the famous links layout in 2003 saw the Eastern Cape native head back to Port Elizabeth, bringing with him extensive experience in the corporate golf world and a burning passion for golf development.

Van Der Nest explained that although his position at Humewood enables him to guide up-and-coming youngsters through the ranks, it didn't feel as if he was doing enough. That was until the SAGDB coaches captured his imagination.

Having studied the development programme in Port Elizabeth and surrounds, he was delighted to discover that the coaches' passion for golf development mirrored his own.

"I identified areas where the coaches were struggling and realised this was where I could really make a difference," explained Van Der Nest, who introduced a weekly coaching clinic, an initiative of the PGA of South Africa, to assist the instructors.

"As a PGA of SA mentor, I concentrate on teaching them different techniques, assist them on improving their knowledge and refine their coaching styles."

Van Der Nest and fellow head professional Brendon Tim work with seven coaches.

"It has been an absolute privilege to work with them. They are incredibly passionate and their enthusiasm is admirable," said Van Der Nest. "When you understand the conditions in which they have to teach, you too will take your hat off to them."

"This was the main motivation for me to start the golf coach programme. It's vital for these coaches to become confident and knowledgeable and pass that knowledge on to the children in their chapters. This was one way I could give back to golf development."

It has been two years since he launched the Coaches' Clinic, but Van Der Nest's devotion to developing golf didn't stop there.

Towards the end of 2009, he was instrumental in the launch of "Adopt a Chapter" by introducing Security Management Solutions (SMS) to the SAGDB's programme. As a result, the leading off-site surveillance and remote monitoring company adopted the Motherwell Chapter and committed to cover the costs involved in running their SAGDB coaching programme this year.

"The sponsorship includes coaching fees and playing fees for the promising youngsters and to hone the talent in the area," said William Koen, managing partner of Security Management Solutions.

"We certainly appreciate the work that the SAGDB does in Port Elizabeth and surrounds. Thanks to Graeme, we are proud to be the first company to Adopt a Chapter and we encourage other businesses and companies in the region to become involved and follow suit."

Van Der Nest ensures that the clients' interests are looked after by managing the branding, assessing the progress and providing the client monthly performance and financial updates. He hopes that other companies will take up the challenge and finance some of the other chapters in the region.

"There is a healthy crop of good young SAGDB players coming through the ranks and this stream will continue if we can continue to provide instruction and funding to the coaches," he said. "It's vital that other head professionals and companies get involved because this initiative provides the children in the chapters with consistent, high-quality golf lessons."

Van Der Nest has further collaborated with Humewood to launch the first franchise of the national golf retail group, The Golfers Club, in the Eastern Cape and appointed one of the SAGDB coaches, Lwazi Bunguza, as an assistant salesman and workshop operator.

"I am very thankful that the management at Humewood have allowed me to develop as a person and a coach and have given me the freedom and support to give back to the game of golf through the coaches' programme," said Van Der Nest.

Bailey also complimented Humewood on encouraging Van Der Nest to live out his passion for golf development.

"It's quite remarkable what Graeme has accomplished here and he deserves the credit," said Bailey. "He has a knack for developing players and his assistance to the coaches has been invaluable. Everyone in the programme enjoy the fruits of his labour."