“Adopt-a-Chapter” programmes boost golf development

In its efforts to grow the game of golf across the country, the SA Golf Development Board is increasingly gaining support from golf clubs, local governments and community organisations. In a number of areas around South Africa, these bodies are funding development initiatives through the “adopt-a-chapter” programme.

“Adopt-a-chapter” invites interested organisations to finance the running of a coaching centre in their local area. This could include covering the costs of transporting learners to facilities, covering playing fees and reimbursing the development coach. The SAGDB in turn provides the support structure and PGA-approved coaching programme.

The initiative has already been implemented in a number of areas, with great success. In KwaZulu-Natal, Prince’s Grant Golf Club opened a development chapter under the programme last year, while Ethekweni District Municipality is funding the running of a chapter in KwaMashu. The municipality has now announced that it will be supporting the establishment of a second chapter in the rural areas of the district, particularly Amatikwe and Etafuleni.

“The deputy head of sport and recreation for the Ethekweni municipality, Vusi Mazibuko, visited the KwMashu chapter towards the end of last year,” explains the SAGDB’s development manager in KZN, Joseph Kunene. “After seeing the progress being made by the children, he decided there and then that he wants to start a new chapter in the rural areas in 2008.”

Kunene believes that the new chapter will provide a big boost to the development of golf in the region as it will provide opportunities to a further 60 or more children.

“These chapters are started with grade 3 pupils only,” Kunene says, “which is the right age to get them to learn the basics.”

The SAGDB is also seeing increased interest in the programme in the Boland where the Breede River Winelands Rotary club has raised funds for a new chapter in the Robertson Valley and Montagu area, due to open in February. This will enable local youngsters to receive coaching closer to home, when previously they would have had to travel to Worcester.

“In most cases where we have had successful players, it was in places where they lived in walking distance of the practice facility or the golf course,” says Andre Rossouw, the development manager for Boland. “It will be a big advantage to have a local chapter where we can find the best talent and develop it to the highest potential.”

Rossouw adds that there is limited entertainment for children in these areas, and golf will therefore provide a positive activity for many of them.

“There is great talent that awaits our arrival,” he says. “We already have the support of the municipality and local sports people, and hopefully success here will see us expanding to even more towns.”

As the adopt-a-chapter programme gains momentum, it is hoped that even more organisations will add their support to the development programme. Already one of the best known clubs in the country, Durban Country Club, has expressed an interest and will be starting a programme there in February.

“A primary school has already been identified in Chesterfield township,” Kunene says, “and the club will pay all the costs of transport, equipment, balls and meals, and will provide the services of three PGA coaches at the club.”

This level of assistance is a significant endorsement of the “adopt-a-chapter” programme. As Rossouw notes, more and more clubs are starting to recognise the important work being done by the SAGDB.

“Most clubs are willing to support the development programme in some way,” he says. “And they are becoming more willing to lend their support as they see the success of our players.”

Kunene believes that the support currently being offered is just the beginning.

“I am now in the process of approaching other municipalities to do the same as Ethekweni,” he says. “And I hope other golf clubs will also follow soon when they see what is being done. People recognise what the SAGDB is trying to achieve and this is the reason they want to be involved.”