Age is just a number for ESWG president
Golf is a great game. You can start at a young age and continue playing into your 80s or even 90s.
The Ekurhuleni Senior Women’s Golf (ESWG) president Charmaine Stone, continues defying age with her masterful skills and calm demeanour on the golf course.
At 64, Stone is an example of longevity in golf. She has been teeing off and putting for 30 years, proving that age does not diminish talent.
“I used to play provincial hockey. At 34, I gave up and took up golf. I have been playing for 30 years and I play off a 12 handicap,” she said.
“I started at a country club in Maidstone in KwaZulu-Natal. The men were always willing to include our group of ladies. As the ladies’ game has grown over the years, so has the level of acceptance.”
Stone, who has led the ESWG for the past three years, may not be as sprightly as in her earlier years, but her love for the sport remains.
“Golf is a great leveller and each time you play, you aim to improve your game. You meet new people, get to know them on a deeper level and age becomes just a number.”
She may have lost some power off the tee, but she, like her ESWG colleagues, is not just another senior golfer hacking the ball about. She is extremely competitive and has got numerous achievements to prove it.
“I have been a club champion at Maidstone Golf Club, Amanzimtoti Country Club, Benoni Lake and most recently, 2024 club champion at Benoni Country Club.
“I also had three hole-in-ones and have played in several provincial championships from 1995 to 2018,” Stone said.
After relocating to Ekurhuleni in 2019, she continued playing and took the reins at the ESWG three years ago.
Under her leadership, the organisation has grown steadily and successfully hosted the SA senior women’s championships in 2023.
“Our society has grown from about 145 ladies to our current number of 185 in the past three years. I believe the success is mixing up the four-balls so the ladies can meet all the players. This builds new relationships and creates a special between all the players.”
As she prepares to lead the ESWG at the 30th national championships in Irene in May, she expects another fine performance from her team of 18 players.
“I expect the team to do extremely well this year. We chose the players on merit, based on their performances over the past year,” she said.
With more young girls taking up the sport, Stone is positive the senior women’s game is going to grow from strength to strength.
“You can join seniors on the day you turn 50. Golf is a great game. You can start at a young age and continue playing into your 80s or even 90s. We have numerous 70-year-olds and an 84-year-old player.”
