Ten years on, with thanks to Johann Rupert

On 1 August 2009, the SA Golf Development Board (SAGDB) will celebrate ten years of growing the game across the country. For the past decade, the board has been at the forefront of bringing new players to the sport and offering opportunities to children who would otherwise not be able to enjoy the game.

"Our intensive coaching programme has introduced thousands of youngsters to the sport and produced many golfing successes, "says the board's Managing Executive, Ken Viljoen. "With the support of the golfing community, we have been able to make an enormous impact on the game and on thousands of children's lives."

To date, the SAGDB has coached over 17,000 youngsters and produced 56 junior provincial players. The board has facilitated the participation of over 1,500 players in South African Junior Golf Foundation (SAJGF) tournaments and 16 of its most talented players have been invited to join the prestigious Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation.

The SAGDB's role in transforming golf in the country has been applauded by all levels of government. Authorities at national, provincial and local level officially support the board's programmes and continue to endorse the vision of making golf a sport for all South Africans.

That the board has been able to receive this level of recognition is largely thanks to the contribution of one man - Johann Rupert.

"It was Mr. Rupert's vision to take the game to the people of South Africa that gave birth to the SAGDB, "Viljoen says. "By setting up the development board back in 1999, he had the vision to ensure that golf met the requirements of government's white paper on sport."

Due to this intervention, golf's strong relationship with government has grown from strength to strength in the past ten years.

"Thanks to Mr. Rupert's foresight, golf has managed to avoid the pitfalls seen in other sporting codes," says Viljoen. "I believe all golfers in South Africa should thank him for what he has done for transforming the game."

Since the SAGDB's inception, Rupert has offered continued support and commitment to the SAGDB, not only financially but also through promoting the board across the world. There is no better example of this than the donations he secures annually at the Dunhill Links tournament. Through his efforts, golfers, businessmen and celebrities from around the world make annual contributions to the SAGDB.

"It is difficult to express just how much we appreciate what Mr. Rupert does for golf in South Africa," Viljoen says. "Without his support, the game would be in a much poorer state than it is today."

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.

For more information please contact:
Louisa Craig
Marketing & Communications
South African Golf Development Board
T: 021 852 8056
E: media@sagolfboard.org

Issued by:
Patrick Cairns
PR Consultant
South African Golf Development Board
Cell: 083 258 4219