Local golf coach is honoured

Local golf coach Byron Nel was recently awarded for his continued commitment to the sport.

Nel was honoured with the Grow Golf Award for the Gauteng Central region by the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of South Africa after receiving the most votes from his fellow peers. He will now go into the running for the PGA National Grow Golf Award.

“To be recognised and rewarded by your peers shows that you are doing a great job and that all the hard work and effort you put in doesn’t go unnoticed,” he said.

After discovering his love for the sport at the young age of 14, Nel went on to participate in a number of tournaments and study a PGA diploma in a full-time academy at the Tshwane University of Technology and Waterkloof Golf Club.

“I have always loved all sports, being active and outdoors as much as possible was where I wanted to be. I really enjoy helping people so naturally the love of sports and helping people lead me to become a golf coach.”

Nel added that he took a particular interest in junior golf coaching after discovering that he was able to really convey information to the children in a fun way that was easy to understand.

“I have a ton of patience and always stay energetic and positive when coaching the juniors to ensure they have fun, first and foremost, as well as picking up the basic fundamentals in golf to enjoy this great game of golf we all love.”

Over the last 12 years of coaching, Nel has coached many stars of the future, included Nqobani Dlamini and Nathan Kok who qualified to compete in the US Kids Golf World Championship in the USA in 2019. Nqobani finished 6th while Nathan tied for 28th place out of a total of 80 boys from across the world.

Nel concluded, “I love the game of golf and love helping people find a passion with this game like I did. To grow this game and ensure the next generation of golfing stars have had the best possible foundation is important to me.”

Details: nelbyron20@gmail.com