Mangaliso aims high

The SA Golf Development Board (SAGDB) has always placed a lot of emphasis on its programmes in the Eastern Cape. The province has a strong sporting culture that makes it a vital area for development. The region is also deeply impoverished, meaning that the development board's emphasis on using golf as a tool for social upliftment is particularly relevant.

Due to this focus, a number of the SAGDB's top players have come from the Eastern Cape. Yet another youngster who is showing a great deal of talent is 12-year old Mangaliso Mnotho from Ginsberg township outside King Williamstown. He has been selected for the Border u/12 team to play an in inter-provincial event at Clovelly Golf Club in September

"Mangaliso is one of our up-and-coming players," says the SAGDB development manager for Border, Millie Zim. "He is playing really well and improving his scoring average all the time."

Mangaliso is a grade 7 pupil at Charles Morgan Senior Primary. He lives with his grandmother and three brothers in a household that relies entirely on government grants.

"The situation at home is bad," Zim says. "But Mangaliso loves his golf."

Zim is particularly impressed with the youngster's attitude. At first he was impatient on the course, but he has learnt to control himself and to take his time over his game.

"He is very confident with his chipping and putting now," she says. "He also practices with the older players, and he caddies for them when he is not playing so as to learn from them."

With this level of dedication, Zim believes Mangaliso has what it takes to become a top player in the region.

"If he continues as he is doing, golf is going to take him places he has never seen before," she 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.