Looking for second title
Given that State Mines is smaller than their rivals, one can only admire the achievements of its women's side.
The year 2021 saw State Mines Country Club’s women’s side win the Ekurhuleni League for the first time in the club’s history.
“Our motto is to have fun and enjoy the day. Obviously, the main goal is to win,” said club captain Letitia Marais.
Marais has seen the progress of women’s golf at State Mines over the last few years, having started playing the sport 15 years ago.
“My husband (Johan) plays excellent golf and he used to play on Saturdays and I used to sit at home so I thought if you can’t beat them then join them and that’s when I decided to play. I started playing with some friends of mine and we progressed,” she said.
Playing in the A-division in the Ekurhuleni league has seen Marais and her teammates come up against formidable opposition.
ALSO CHECK: Art Gallery launches photographic exhibition
“It’s competitive. You know the different girls from the different courses are very good players so we have to be on our A game if we want to win the league,” she told the Herald.
Her team is currently second in the league.
“We are having quite a year,” said Marais.
She remembers the 2021 victory fondly.
“It was exhilarating, having never won the league before,” said the captain.
“In the past, we didn’t really have enough ladies playing.
“There are more men playing golf than women so in the past we struggled to put together a league team that could compete with the other clubs in Ekurhuleni.
“Other clubs are able to put together more than one team as they have more ladies playing while State Mines is only able to put together one team.”
Given that the club is smaller than their rivals one can only admire the achievements of State Mines’ women’s side.
So what has helped the club achieve so much with fewer players than the opposition?
ALSO CHECK: Caxton wins 3 prestigious titles at Avbob FCJ Excellence Awards
“Pure determination, team play, the girls get along well and they understand golf has helped us. The will to fight makes our State Mines proud,” said Marais.
Marais also said that she is excited about the future of the club.
“We have a young girl named Kiara Dicks. She is 16 this year and she is going to be one of our top little junior players.
“She is already playing exceptionally well, she is touring all over the country at different tournaments. So she is definitely going to be our superstar at State Mines Country Club,” she said.
