Girls show potential at Eastern FS champs

16-year old Ntsoaki Mokoena and 14-year old Zanele Mazibuko are the two top girl players in the SA Golf Development Board (SAGDB) programme in the Free State. Their progress over the last few years has been very encouraging, and both of them competed in the recent Eastern Free State Junior Championships.

Ntsoaki, who currently plays of a 9 handicap, carded rounds of 85 and 91 in difficult conditions, while Zenele, who's handicap is 20, shot 92 and 97.

"These girls are learning new skills every time they play in Junior Foundation Tournaments and their performance is improving all the time," says SAGDB development manager Ratha Motaung. "Ntsoaki has the potential to bring her handicap down to five by the end of the year, and Zanele will also be playing off a single figure handicap soon. She has age on her side."

The girls both live with their mothers in single parent households in Sephokong Village near Phuthaditjhaba in Qwa-Qwa. Their golfing successes have also encouraged their younger siblings to take up the sport.

"Golf has changed their lifestyles and also taught them to be independent," Motaung says. "They have become leaders in their peer group. We have managed to not only teach them about playing the sport, but we have also imparted life lessons such as respect, discipline and decision making skills."

He believes that the girls are seen as role models at their schools. Ntsoaki is currently in Grade 10 at Thokoana Makaota Secondary School, while Zanele is completing Grade 8 at Sephokong Intermediate School.

Motaung believes that both girls will find careers in golf once they matriculate.

"Their dream is to play in professional golf tournaments in South Africa and also to tour the world," he says.

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.