Tributes pour in for stalwart
Joan Herbert looked after the 17 golf clubs that Ekurhuleni represents.
The golf world was in shock following the death of the former Ekurhuleni Golf Unions (EGU) administrator, Joan Herbert.
Herbert passed away on Monday. The cause of death was unknown at the time of publication.
“She looked after the 17 golf clubs that Ekurhuleni represents,” said the EGU president, Jan Kruger.
The veteran administrator worked with the union for more than 40 years.
“She was the heartbeat of the Ekurhuleni Golf Union as the lady who organised all our tournaments and ensured that the people who wanted to play received their entries. She also handled the books in the office,” said Kruger.
Herbert retired from the position last year because her husband Darryl was struggling with his eyesight.
“She had so much knowledge of golf overall and so much knowledge of the golf clubs that represent the union.
“She knew everybody by name. It’s unbelievable when you look at the institutional knowledge she had of golf overall. You see, she dealt with many presidents during her life.
“She was the driving force behind the late Martin Saaiman’s, who was the president of the EGU and also became president of GolfRSA, successes,” Kruger told the Herald.
The current EGU president talked about all the top golfers Herbert looked after as an administrator over the years.
“We can look at all the Ekurhuleni golfers who made a name not only in the professional ranks but also in the amateurs,” he said.
“The latest being Casey Jarvis and Yurav Premlall. There have been many names. Names such as Jaden Schaper. Establishing from the beginning is Ernie Els, who was from the Ekurhuleni Golf Union.”
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GolfRSA also paid tribute to Herbert.
“It is with enormous sadness that we learnt of the passing of one of South African golf’s great servants, Joan Herbert,” read a statement from communication and media officer Lali Stander.
“On behalf of GolfRSA, the Ekurhuleni Golf Union and all our members, we extend our deepest condolences to Darryl, their children, grandchildren, family and friends.
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“We will miss Joan’s smile, her positive attitude to life and people and her dedication to the game she loved so much. She was a mom to many at the Ekurhuleni Golf Union, and our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this sad and difficult time.
“Joan generously devoted years of her life to the administration, promotion, and support of the game in her 43-year tenure at the Ekurhuleni Golf Union, and even though she retired last year, she was always just a phone call away.”
