Rotary International supports a new chapter for the SAGDB

The Rotary Club of Breede River Winelands (BRW) has recognised the need to give all South African youth the opportunity to participate in sport. To support this goal, the club has decided to initiate the establishment of a SA Golf Development Board (SAGDB) golf chapter in the Robertson Valley and Montagu areas.

The SAGDB is the official national body responsible for growing the game of golf in disadvantaged communities and currently runs chapters in six provinces around the country. Over 3 000 children have benefited from its coaching programmes this year.

The BRW Rotary Club will be committing funds on an annual basis to cover the costs of running its local chapter, which will provide coaching to aspiring youngsters from nearby schools. The official launch of the project will take place at Montagu Golf Club at 16h00 on Friday 23 November.

“Lots of Rotarians play golf and with the financial support of the Claremont Rotary Club, this has enabled us to kick-start the project,” says project leader, Rotarian John Simpson of the BRW Rotary Club. ”It will be great fun to see these kids playing on our courses at some stage in the future.  Hopefully, other Rotary Clubs will follow our example and support similar initiatives together with the SAGDB.”

Hendrik du Plessis, President of BRW Rotary Club supports Simpson’s enthusiasm.

“Can you imagine the dreams and aspirations a “new Tiger Woods” from one of our towns would instil in the youth of our valley?” he says. “As Rotarians, we have a duty not only to alleviate pressing needs and to fill the void of an inadequate welfare system, but also to give our young people a vision and a dream.”

From the beginning of January, sixty underprivileged children from five schools in Robertson, Montagu, Ashton and Bonnievale will be given the opportunity to join the chapter. The support of the local golf clubs, Montagu, Bonnievale and Robertson, will allow them to experience time on the course and use of practice facilities. Memberships will also be made available to those that achieve a handicap.

The SAGDB’s programmes in the Boland area have already had some stunning success.  Cedric Rooi of Worcester has been selected for his provincial team to compete in the u/18 inter provincial tournament (ITP) in Tshwane in December and Jacquin Hess of Robertson is a regular member of the region’s u/16 team.  

“We have been wanting to develop golf in and around the Robertson Valley for some time and we are really looking forward to starting this project,” says the SAGDB’s development manager for Boland, Andre Rossouw. “There must be lots of talent out there waiting to be harnessed.”