Support for golf development in the Free State

The SA Golf Development Board is finding support for its programmes in many areas across the country. Golf clubs, golfing bodies, private individuals and government departments are all assisting the board in its goal to introduce more youngsters to the game of golf.

With support from a number of organisations, the SAGDB has run a strong programme in the Free State region for a number of years. There are currently nearly 470 children receiving coaching in the region at SAGDB chapters in Phuthaditjhaba, Witsieshoek, Qwa-Qwa, Clarens, Heidedal Bloemfontein, Schoeman Park and Navilsig.  

“We receive enormous support from the Free State Foundation, Schoeman Park Golf Club, Kestell Golf Club and the Free State Department of Sports and Recreation,” says SAGDB development manager Ratha Motaung.

While the clubs are providing memberships to promising SAGDB youngsters, the board is also enjoying financial support from the government. In addition, the regional junior golf foundation offers places in its tournaments to promising players from the development programme.

Motaung says that the introduction of a new coaching programme and structure for the SAGDB has had a very positive influence in the region in the last year. He believes that the region’s top players are now on a par with the best players in the Free State Junior Golf Foundation.

“There has been a tremendous improvement in terms of performance,” he says. “The Bloemfontein group at Schoeman Park and Phuthaditjhaba group at Kestell Golf Club coached by Phillip Ndzitshe and Stanley Selepe respectively are the most improved chapters.”

This improvement is directly linked to the degree of support provided by the local clubs. Because the facilities are available to the development programme, the players have more chance to refine their skills.

In addition, Motaung believes that the four players from the Free State that are currently members of the elite Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation serve as an inspiration to all the golfers in the development programme in the province. Their success is an indication of the opportunities that golf can offer them.

Unfortunately though, transport to junior foundation events and accommodation for youngsters when they travel to play in tournaments away from home remain significant problems for the development programme. Budgetary constraints also only allow for 12 SAGDB players to compete in official junior tournaments, limiting the benefit of exposure to this competitive environment.

Motaung hopes that increased support from more clubs and local businesses could lead to more juniors having the opportunity to enter the mainstream golf structures. This will help the region to continue to build its reputation as a source of talent and one of the most promising development areas in the country.