Free State gets one up on KZN

As part of its ongoing efforts to develop golf across the country, the SA Golf Development Board (SAGDB) recently held an inter-provincial competition for its top players from the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal regions.

The fixture, which was played at Mooi River Country Club, provided the youngsters in the development programme with the opportunity to compete against their peers from another region and learn from their different approaches to the game. The Free State players also had the chance to experience the challenges presented by a new golf course.

“This was a good experience for the players,” said the SAGDB’s development manager for the Free State, Ratha Motaung. “They were given the opportunity to compare their level of competency against children from another province.”

Motaung added that the chance to travel and see a different part of the country was also very beneficial to the youngsters from Phuthaditjhaba, Clarens and Harrismith. He was especially proud that his team managed to beat the home players in both the A and B divisions of the event.

Joseph Kunene, the SAGDB’s development manager for KZN, agreed that the youngsters had gained tremendously from the experience.

“The KZN players really enjoyed playing against their colleagues,” he said. “This gave them the opportunity to measure themselves against the top players from the Free State and see their strengths and weaknesses.”

Kunene said that his players were disappointed to have lost on home ground, and are already keen for a re-match.

“There’s homework for my players to do,” Kunene said. “They need to practice more in order to beat the top players from Free State next time.”