Nathan appointed to SAGDB chair

Respected businessman Selwyn Nathan has been appointed as the new Chairman of the SA Golf Development Board (SAGDB). Nathan takes over from Cheslyn Mostert, who stepped down in April.

Nathan, who is also the vice-Chairman of the Sunshine Tour, has been a non-executive director on the SAGDB’s board since 2005 and was one of the driving forces behind the recent restructuring of the development programme.

Nathan, who plays off a scratch handicap, has had a long and significant involvement in golf administration. He has been involved with the Sunshine Tour since 1974 and was also a part of the organising team for the original Million Dollar Classic from 1978.

His involvement in sport also extends to motor racing and soccer. He is a non-executive director on the 2010 Local Organising Committee and was highly influential in re-establishing international motorsport in South Africa through restructuring Kyalami and promoting World Super Bikes and Formula One Grand Prix events.

Nathan believes that the SAGDB has a vital role in play in growing the game of golf in South Africa, and hopes to build support for development during his time as Chairman. He says that the development programme is a process which started many years ago and must continue to grow stronger in its aims to level the playing fields.

“Golf has always had the perception of being an elitist sport,” he says. “But we have so many great sportsmen in this country that, just given the opportunity, they excel. If we would have given these sportsmen a chance earlier, and paid more attention to their development, we’d have far more good young golfers.”

Nathan is confident that the SAGDB’s current board of directors is on the right track with its plans for golf development and is looking forward to continuing working with them in his new capacity.

“We’re putting a great team together,” he says. “The people who had this job before me did a great job of growing the game and growing interest.”

The new Chairman is adamant that the SAGDB is not the top-heavy organisation many golfers still perceive it to be. While there may have been problems in the past, the development programme is now efficient and disciplined in its spending.

“Over the past 16 or 17 months under our past Chairman, Cheslyn Mostert, we turned things upside down,” he says. “From spending 70% of our budget on administration and 30% on the ground, it’s now the other way around. The proof is there, and our books prove it.”

“We will change perceptions by going more good work on the ground,” he adds. “We’ll let the results do the talking. Our success can be measured by seeing more and more kids and people from all communities in South Africa finding their way to the golf course.”