SA Open Maestroes impart golf skills to Ekurhuleni youngsters.

Enthusiastic young golfers from around Ekurhuleni enjoyed a rare opportunity to meet some of the top swingers competing at the 2015 BMW SA Open Championship tournament, hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni.

Over 50 aspiring golfers from Tembisa, Daveyton and Vosloorus could not contain their joy after receiving expert instruction from five Sunshine Tour and five European Tour players during a golf development clinic at the Glendower Golf Club on Tuesday.

The young golfers were between the ages of five and 17 years old.

They were split into groups of six for intense one-on-one coaching sessions with professionals such as Christiaan Bezuidenhout; Brandon Stone; Tyrone Ferreira; Zander Lombard; Tyrone Mordt, as well as former Ryder Cup and World Cup player Edoardo Molinari from Italy.

Other golfing stars players included English quartet Mark Forster, Seve Benson, Renato Paratore and Matthew Southgate.

One of the inspirational golfers, who recently became a qualifying school champion, Christiaan Bezuidenhout spoke of the importance of giving back to the kids.

“When I was still a member of the Ekurhuleni Golf Union, there were a lot of people along the way that helped me get to this level.

“All the other guys coaching at the clinic feel the same and that’s why we enjoyed the eagerness and passion of these kids. The kids’ excitement reminded all of us that we all started out exactly where they are right now,” Bezuidenhout said.

Sthembiso Nzimande, a 10-year-old beginner from Duduza Golfers Club, was ecstatic to have Bezuidenhout help her hone her swinging skills.

“I used to watch some guys from our neighbourhood play golf and I was curious. Most of my friends in my area play soccer and other common sports, but I just loved golf. We practice hard every day to be the best.

“However, I really enjoyed the chance to learn from the professionals,” she said.

Local club mentors and coaches were also part of the kids’ life time experience. Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Cllr Mondli Gungubele was due to tee off the 105th BMW SA Open Championship Tournament on Thursday January 7, at 06:30am at Glendower Golf Club.