Hillside’s support for golf development remains strong

Hillside Golf Club in Pretoria North has supported the SA Golf Development Board (SAGDB) ever since it launched its programme in Gauteng North. The club has shown commitment to growing the game of golf in the region through a range of initiatives.

Hillside offers the use of its course for SAGDB coaching, provides a storage facility for equipment, organises holiday competitions for the SAGDB learners to play with club members, and selects SAGDB learners to its junior league teams if they are good enough on merit.

“We are fortunate to have four SAGDB coaches living nearby, so they are able to train children at any time,” says Hillside club manager Roger Manning. “The general behaviour of the children under the SAGDB has improved beyond all recognition in the last few years and we are now getting real golfers coming through the programme.”

The SAGDB’s manager in Gauteng North, Willie van Zyl, says they are very fortunate to receive the club’s generosity and support.

“No matter what our requirements are, Hillside GC is always wiling to accommodate us.” Van Zyl says. “Our players are treated with courtesy and Mr Manning is always willing to offer advice and assistance to our coaches. This helps them to do a better job for the learners in our programme.”

Manning says that the biggest problem they face remains transport, as the round trip taxi fare for players coming from the feeder areas Soshanguve, Mabopane and Hammanskraal is R40. They have however managed to secure a sponsorship from Coastal Hire Pretoria North that enables them to pay for transport for selected children. It however remains difficult for many learners to get to the club.

Over time, Manning hopes that the opportunities being created for the children will lead to more of them finding a future in the sport, whether that be through playing, coaching or many of the other career opportunities offered by golf.

“Long term, we look forward to creating a new generation of golfers who remain with the game,” he says. “The job opportunities in the sport are very exciting. If one looks at the list of players from the 60’s and 70’s who now make a living from golf it is very impressive, and in those years junior golf had nothing like the support it has today.”

About the SAGDB
Founded in 1999, the SA Golf Development Board (SAGDB) is the only body officially tasked with growing the game of golf in South Africa. The SAGDB is a non-profit organisation and is fully endorsed by government and all of South Africa's official golfing bodies. Through its PGA-approved coaching programme, the board currently has the capacity to coach 3,500 children per week in ten regions. The SAGDB is sponsored by SAA, City Lodge, the Pro Shop, ProRange and ExpandaSign.