The South African Golf Development Board’s (SAGDB) coaching programme is once again opening it’s doors to the young public.
The programme is inviting children between eight and 18-years-old who come from disadvantaged backgrounds to join.
Paul van Zyl, the programme’s coach is currently using the Albatross Golf Club where he also gives private lessons.
“We want more children to from areas such as Maraisburg, Florida and the rest of Roodepoort who’s parents might find it difficult to afford golf equipment or provide golf lessons for their children. All they need to do is bring their child and they must wear comfortable sneakers,”he said.
The national programme aims to bring golf to the community by providing free coaching and practice equipment.
This is to broaden the sport and transform its composition to be more representative of society.
Van Zyl is no stranger to golf he has been a professional player since 1976 and is currently one of the top players in the South African Senior Tour.
“I have been working in this programme for three years now. To see a young player that comes to me with no knowledge of the game start to develop the passion for golf is just amazing. It not only gives me satisfaction but gives the player a lot of confidence knowing that I as their coach is pleased with how they are progressing,” he said.
Not only do the children that are coached by van Zyl learn more about golf but he also teaches them life skills and becomes their guardians on the courses.
Once the children show promise and dedication, they are given a set of clubs supplied by the SAGDB.
This is to nurture elite players by sponsoring equipment, club fees and competition participation.
“The equipment including balls and clubs is donated and sponsored to the SAGDB and they in turn give it out to all the coaching programmes. When the pupils outgrow the equipment, they give it back to the programme and we give them another set. So parents don’t pay a cent to sign up their children or anything, they just have to love the sport,” said Van Zyl.
His aims in joining such a programme are to share his love, passion and knowledge of the game to the next generation of players.
“They may not be an Ernie Els or Tiger Woods and that is all right. We just want them to enjoy the sport. This is another way to keep them occupied and away from the streets,” he said.
One of the benefits the youngsters who join the programme will receive is a chance to play at the CMR golf course where they will receive even more practical training from van Zyl.
“Usually on the third Sunday of every month we go over to CMR golf course where they learn more than just teeing off but about putting and the rules of golf. Here I usually play with them and walk them through each step. They get handicapped at the club and usually start from the C division which is the lowest and can proceed to the B then A division. If they are sufficiently talented they will then become junior proteas and from there turn professional,” he said.
Another incentive for players in the programme is that with enough dedication and hard work, players who show promise will join the Central Gauteng Golf Union- Junior Section. The union will then provide free membership at all the golf courses around the country.
Nine-year old Jayden Hoskins from Bosmont recently joined the programme and he is passionate about golf.
“I started golf three years ago because my father suggested it as a way to bond with me. It seemed fun at first and from there the love of golf just grew. I have not looked back since then,” he said.
Jayden is not the only one who recently joined the programme, 15-year-old Darren Caltz from Maraisburg joined the programme in March.
“My friends and I came here to the golf course one day and I saw Uncle Paul coaching. I became so interested in what he was doing that I decided to walk over to him and asked him to join and that’s how it started for me. It’s a fun sport to play and I have learned a lot of new things already,” said Darren.
Practice sessions are from Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 3.30pm to 4.30pm, however, transportation is not available and parents must make arrangements. To sign up, contact Paul van Zyl on 082 422 9593 or 011 674 4577.
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