Growing support for golf development in Gauteng East

With significant underprivileged populations living on the East Rand, the area is an important area for sports development. The SA Golf Development Board has recognised the need for a strong programme in this region and is working together with a number of local clubs to grow the game in areas such as Springs and Daveyton.

Daveyton Golf Club, Springs Golf Club and Benoni Country Club have all pledged their support to the development programme by offering free rounds for players from the development programme. ERPM has also discounted its green fees for SAGDB youngsters.

“The general feeling towards the SAGDB is good,” notes the board’s manager for Gauteng East, Thenjiwe Sithole. “Clubs are willing to play a meaningful role in developing the game.”

Sithole is working closely with the region’s junior golf foundation to facilitate close interaction with local clubs.

“The SAGDB has formidable support from the SA Junior Golf Foundation Eastern Gauteng sub-committee,” she says. “Committee members come from a number of clubs and they play a mediator role on behalf of the SAGDB.”

Sithole is also anticipating support from the new Ebotse Golf Club. Ebotse has committed itself to mentoring five talented boys from the SAGDB’s programme by providing added support in both golf development and life skills.

With this established support and more commitments from clubs expected in the near future, Sithole has plans to build the Gauteng East development programme even further in 2008. She is especially pleased that she will be able to motivate the local learners by giving them regular opportunities to play on these courses.

Gauteng East current has three development chapters running, and she also hopes to gain enough local financial backing to open two more chapters in the region.

One of Sithole’s most important aims will be to continue strengthening relationships with all the stakeholders in the region. The SAGDB knows that golf development must be a collective effort from players, clubs and the professional and amateur bodies that run the sport, and it’s therefore important to have as much participation as possible in its efforts to grow the game.