‘Mr B’ aims to grow golf in Empangeni

WITH great pride, local sports administrator Bheki Mbokazi has accepted the office of Golf Captain at the Empangeni Country Club – the first person of colour to hold that important position.

Better known as ‘Mr B’, Bheki is relatively new to the sport of golf but has almost 30 years’ experience in soccer administration at regional, provincial and national level.

‘I have served on various football structures and attained my CAF Level 1 Administration certification, which among others means I can perform the role of Match Commissioner.’

For now, though, Bheki’s focus is on golf, a sport he played for the first time in July 2014 after being introduced to the game by a friend.

‘He even had to show me how to grip a club, but I have learned quickly and after just two years I am playing off a 15 handicap.

‘I believe that with any sport, the first step is to understand the philosophy, ethic and code of conduct, and so I use every spare moment to study and master the rule book and scrutinise the administration systems.’

Bheki believes sport in general – and golf in particular – are great factors for unification.

‘My task is twofold: on the one hand I must strive to increase the number of members, which has dwindled to just 83 from more than 1 000 in the club’s heyday.

‘This includes serious promotion of the development phase and we will capacitate the right person to mentor disadvantaged youngsters coming into the game.

‘On that front, I will be engaging with sponsors, Department of Sport & Recreation and municipal officials to ensure we can assist those who need help.

‘The golf course is a great place to make friends and rub shoulders with people of all cross-sections of life, including decision makers.

‘So my second function is to ensure the country club becomes ‘home’ to all. Everyone must feel welcome here.

‘We must bring back the good old days when it was the social centre for Empangeni.’

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