SAGDB learners benefit from WATC experience

Children from the SA Golf Development Board in the Western Cape were given a unique experience during October when they were asked to lead in the teams during the opening ceremonies of the World Amateur Team Championships (WATC) in Stellenbosch.

The learners were invited to participate in the ceremony by the hosts, the SA Golf Association and Womens Golf South Africa.

25 SAGDB boys paraded with the teams during the women’s event opening ceremony and 40 girls were present for the men’s opening ceremony. The learners came from Khayelitsha, Paarl, Wellington and Somerset West.

“It was a wonderful occasion,” said SAGDB development manager for Western Province, Michael Bredenkamp. “I think it was a real eye-opener for the kids.”

Bredenkamp said that many of the international team players took an interest in the youngsters that were carrying their country boards, and handed them team buttons to pin onto their shirts. He said that while many of the SAGDB players were very shy, they did engage with the South African womens team after the ceremony.

“The South African girls were very good with the kids,” Bredenkamp said. “They showed a real interest in them.”

The boys who were there will remember the chance they had to interact with Ashleigh Simon, Kelli Shean and Stacy Bregman just days before the three became world champions.

  “It was a great chance for these youngsters to be involved in an international event,” said SAGDB media liaison Patrick Cairns. “It’s encouraging for us that golf is able to broaden their horizons in this way and give them a sense of what they could be striving towards.”

SAGDB learners with the winning SA ladies team.