Farrarmere resident Daniel Fourie praised retired golfer and nine-time pro tour winner Nico van Rensburg’s Vumatel Golf Clinics for elevating his game.
Fourie, a Benoni Country Club (BCC) member, was among a team of emerging golfers and professional coaches who offered coaching to 50 youngsters at Rob van Velzen’s Golf Performance and Development Academy at the BCC on August 28.
“They paid for my lessons for the entire year and helped me elevate my golf game. I’ve improved a lot, and to be chosen was an honour,” he said.
After showing potential and passion at last year’s clinic, Fourie won a year’s sponsorship through this initiative and has been receiving lessons from Van Velzen.
“Daniel was on my programme. It’s a nice gesture from Vuma to give these children who show promise the reward for their hard work,” he said.
Van Rensburg led a group of four top coaches, including Van Velzen, Jonathan Morgan, Gavin McCarthy and Ryan Crawford, when they shared valuable techniques and insights that would help make a difference on the greens and fairways.
The coaches demonstrated the correct grip, posture and foot positioning and which clubs to use for a specific shot. Van Rensburg emphasised the importance of hitting with the legs and not the arms, the right balance and rhythm and ball positioning.
Van Rensburg, a six-time Sunshine Tour and three-time Asian Tour winner, started this programme in 2021 to make golf more accessible and provide training to young golfers from diverse backgrounds across SA.
“When I stopped playing, I felt it was time to give back. We need to nurture talent. Too many good sportsmen have travelled the world playing rugby, football and golf. But they don’t get involved with the game afterwards. I spoke with Vumatel, and we agreed to do six clinics.”
This year alone, they have inspired over 190 children.
“We started in Cape Town and went Bloemfontein, Pretoria, Euphoria Golf Course, Limpopo, and now we are in Benoni looking for talent.
“We invite 50 children per clinic, and so far, we have inspired over 300 aspiring golfers’ lives,” said Van Rensburg.
Through this initiative, they have shaped the careers of Daniel Bennet, who won last year’s GolfRSA U19 Championships with a record-breaking score of 34-under par at Pecanwood, Gauteng North Golf Union Close A-division winner Zinan Maimane and Janike van der Merwe.
“It’s a nice experience to connect with the children. It’s all about them,” said Van der Merwe.
“Golf is growing in SA, especially with more girls rising through the ranks. It’s nice to see so many people show up to these events. Their interest and passion for golf is motivating. It’s what keeps us going,” she added.
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