SAGA and WGSA usher in new leadership with Van Schalkwyk and De Wet
They go into their respective roles with years of administrative experience.
North West’s Peet van Schalkwyk and Gauteng North’s Madeleine de Wet were elected as the new presidents of The South African Golf Association (SAGA) and Womens Golf South Africa (WGSA), respectively, this month.
Van Schalkwyk, who managed the South African team to a historic first Eisenhower Trophy triumph at the 2025 World Amateur Team Championships in Singapore, succeeds Henk Smith after serving four years as junior vice-president and vice-president, while De Wet takes over from Susan Andrew following a distinguished three-year term as WGSA vice-president.
Thinus Labuschagne from Limpopo was elected SAGA vice-president after serving two years as junior vice-president, while WGSA welcomed Mpumalanga’s Petricia Buurman as its newly elected vice-president.
Mpumalanga’s Coenie du Preez steps into the role of junior vice-president.
Van Schalkwyk assumes office exactly 50 years after competing in his first Inter-Provincial Tournament. He represented North West from 1979 to 1998 and began managing the province’s premier team in 2000.
His administrative career started in 1995 and included terms as North West Golf Union vice-president and president, while he has also served on the SAGA Election Committee since 2020.
“It is a tremendous honour to be entrusted with the leadership of The South African Golf Association,” Van Schalkwyk said.
“The game in South Africa continues to grow because of the strong partnerships between SAGA, Womens Golf South Africa and GolfRSA. Over the past decade, we have worked diligently to strengthen amateur golf, create opportunities for players and unions, and contribute meaningfully to the broader golf industry.
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“I look forward to continuing that collaborative approach as we work together to grow and advance the game at every level.”
De Wet brings more than a decade of golf administration experience to the role, having progressed through structures at Silver Lakes Golf Club, Gauteng North Golf Union and WGSA. Her corporate background includes leadership and management roles across several listed organisations.
“It is a privilege to take on this role and continue serving women’s golf in South Africa,” she said.
“We have seen encouraging growth in participation in recent years, particularly among women and girls, and I believe there is tremendous opportunity to build on that momentum.
“I look forward to working closely with GolfRSA and SAGA to continue creating pathways for young talent, strengthening our unions and ensuring that more players across the country have access to opportunities within the game.”
GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn welcomed the outcome of the elections, which took place during the WGSA Annual General Meeting at Devonvale Golf and Wine Estate on May 16 and the SAGA Annual General Meeting at Country Club Johannesburg on May 23.
“We congratulate Peet, Madeleine, Thinus, Petricia and Coenie on their appointments. They have all done a huge amount for golf in our country already, and I look forward to working closely with them as team as we continue building a stronger and more inclusive future for South African golf together.”
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