Ekurhuleni golfers shine at SA U19 Girls High Schools Championship
Ekurhuleni's rising golf stars showcased their talent at the national U19 girls championship, where local players and the regional golf union delivered impressive performances.
Young golfers from across Ekurhuleni tested their skills against some of South Africa’s top schoolgirl players at the sixth SA U19 Girls High Schools IPT Championship, held at Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate from July 18 to 20.
The national 36-hole championship brought together 69 players from 35 schools across the country, providing young golfers with an opportunity to represent their schools and golf unions while competing in a professionally organised tournament.
Established in 2021, the event aims to develop girls’ golf by creating a pathway from school to provincial and national competition.
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Ekurhuleni was well represented, with 12 golfers from eight schools taking part in the championship.
The participating schools included Ashton International College, Benoni, represented by Talia Raath; Hoërskool Brandwag in Benoni, represented by Kay-Lee Lundberg; Hoërskool Dinamika and Hoërskool Marais Viljoen in Alberton; Hoërskool Kempton Park; Hoërskool Oosterlig and St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls in Boksburg; and Heidelberg Volkskool.
Among the local players, Talia Raath finished sixth in the B Division with a nett score of 159, Kay-Lee Lundberg competed in the A Division Gross competition, finishing 21st. At the same time, Deeya Govindasamy of St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls placed ninth in the C Division with 53 Individual Stableford points.
Championship chairperson JHP Breedt said the tournament was designed to be inclusive, allowing players of different abilities to compete on a national stage while developing their skills and confidence.
“The championship creates an important pathway between school, provincial and national golf. As players compete in divisions according to their handicap ability, the event is accessible to both elite and developing golfers,” said Breedt.
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He added that hosting the tournament provides schools, golf unions and administrators with an opportunity to identify and support emerging talent while encouraging more schools to invest in girls’ golf.
Breedt said the strong local representation highlighted the quality of golfers being produced in the region.
“Having players from Benoni, Boksburg and the wider Ekurhuleni area competing in a national schools championship gives the local community golfers to support and shows younger girls that national-level participation is achievable,” he said.
“The 12 players representing eight Ekurhuleni-area schools demonstrate that the region has considerable golfing talent.”
Ekurhuleni Golf Union also delivered a strong performance during the championship, finishing third in both the B Division and C Division union team competitions.
The union secured third place overall in the Best Overall Province standings across all three divisions, reflecting the continued growth of girls’ golf in the region.
Breedt attributed the success to the combined efforts of schools, parents, coaches, golf clubs and the Ekurhuleni Golf Union in creating opportunities for young female golfers to develop and compete.
Looking ahead, he said the organisers hope to see the championship continue to grow into South Africa’s leading national schools tournament for girls, with greater participation from schools across all provinces and increased support from sponsors and golf unions.
The next SA U19 Girls High Schools IPT Championship will be held at Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate from July 17 to 19, 2027.
