Siyandla Shines in Schools Championships

15-year old Siyanda Mwandla has been making an impression in this year's KwaZulu-Natal Schools Golf Championships. The SA Golf Development Board learner from Shaka's Kraal Secondary School is currently in fifth place on the KZN Schools Golf Association order of merit.

In the most recent championship event, at his home course of Umhlali Country Club, Siyanda finished third in the field of 88 players after shooting a round of 77. Twenty-eight schools were represented at the competition. This performance follows on from the 79 he shot in the first event at Mount Edgecombe Country Club.

"Siyanda loves his golf," says the SAGDB's manager for KZN, Joseph Kunene. "He is a dedicated player and takes his game seriously."

Kunene is especially impressed with the way Siyanda approaches practicing. He is regularly on the course honing his game.

"Almost every day after school you will find him practicing at Umhlali Country Club, where he is a member," Kunene says. "He is able to walk to the golf club from his home, and the club is fully supportive of him when it comes to making use of facilities."

There are two more events left in the championships, but unfortunately Siyanda will miss the first of them due to commitments with the SAGDB's national elite squad.

"We wish him all the best for the last tournament though," Kunene says "In July, the provincial team will be announced to represent KZN Schools Golf in the SA Schools Golf Inter-provincials in September. We hope Siyanda will be considered as we think he will be one of our future stars."