Golf instructors empowered to coach in communities

The SA Golf Development Board (SAGDB) in partnership with Department of Sport and Recreation are working together to grow golf in the Amajuba District. The two organisations recently held a golf instructors course for 17 keen golfers from Newcastle, Madadeni Township, Kilbarchan, Utrecht and Dannhauser.

The aim of the course, which was held at Newcastle Golf Club, was to equip the instructors with basic coaching skills. They will use what they have learnt to coach children in their own communities which include basic golf skills, such as the grip, stance, posture, ball alignment and swing.

"All the instructors are golfers with handicaps of 15 and below, "explains the SAGDB's development manager for KZN, Mr. Joseph Kunene. "Each instructor will coach around 20 children in their own communities. We believe that the best way to encourage mass participation in golf is to empower local people to promote the sport and the life skills it offers."

The idea for the programme was initiated by Jessica Conradie, the sport promotion officer for the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation in the Amajuba District, in consultation with Mr. J. Kunene. The provincial government will be supplying equipment for the children in the various areas, while the SAGDB has agreed to donate practice golf balls.

The development board will further support the programme through regular visits to the clinics by their development coach in the region, Mr. Sam Tshabalala. He will assess the progress being made by the learners and assist the instructors technically. The programme will be evaluated in October 2009 to assess its success.

"The course went off very well, "said Miss J. Conradie. "Newcastle Golf Club was very supportive, as it always is. The Department of Sport and Recreation is tasked with supporting and growing all sporting codes in KZN. This collaboration with SAGDB to develop the coaches will have a long term positive effect on the growth of golf in the Amajuba District."

All the instructors who attended the two day course were issued a certificate of attendance. All the costs of the course were covered by the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation.

About the SAGDB: Founded in 1999, the SA Golf Development Board (SAGDB) is the only body officially tasked with growing the game of golf in South Africa. The SAGDB is a non-profit organisation (with section 18A donations tax exemption status) and is fully endorsed by government and all of South Africa's official golfing bodies. Through its PGA-approved coaching programme, the board currently has the capacity to coach 3,500 children per week in ten regions. The SAGDB is sponsored by SAA, City Lodge, the Pro Shop, ProRange and ExpandaSign.