TEN primary school children from Mehlareng Combined School in Bredell will enjoy golf classes every week as part of an outreach programme by Serengeti’s Big Five junior golf development programme.
The programme has been running since March and already the kids have grasped the basic golf techniques.
Junior head coach, Suzette Venter, and other coaches spend an hour a week with the youngsters honing and developing their golfing skills.
According to Daniélle Burger, Big Five Golf’s marketing and communications executive, they had been looking for a school in Willow Park where they could run a development programme.
“It was by coincidence that we found this school. We were literally driving past when we spotted the school. We went in and told them we needed learners for an outreach programme,” she explained.
For the selection process the three girls and seven boys had to hit a few balls, while some who couldn’t really swing, had to write motivation letters explaining why they should be chosen for the programme.
“In February we held an open day at the school where the children had to hit a few balls. Four were selected because of their good swing, while the rest had to write letters. Some copied from each other but there were some really great letters which stood out and that was how we selected.”
“We want to build them to a possible career in golf, we also want to inspire them,” she added.
The children are given a uniform by Big Five golf and food and snacks sponsored by Serengeti on a weekly basis.
“However, we want to have a food drive for them because we’ve realised they are given food at school on a daily basis but during school holidays they are in need of a meal. That’s our next initiative,” pointed out Burger.
Every Wednesday the children are picked up from school and brought to Serengeti Golf Academy where they, from 2pm to 3pm, are coached.
They are taught to tee-off and take part in various exercises to strengthen and increase their balance and steadiness.
Serengeti Golf Club has the Wanna be a Champion Golf Academy which is for elite golfers, while the Big Five Golf junior golf development programme is for children at beginner level.
The children in the programme are rewarded for good performance.
“We have two medals that rotate based on good swing, great attitude or good behaviour,” explained Burger.
EXPRESS journalist, Tumelo Mthethwa, had the honour of picking the two best swingers on Wednesday, August 10. They were Doen Mashula (14) and Tadiwanashe Matayaya (12).
“I love golf, it’s a sport that makes me happy,” said Mashula. “It’s a great exercise and I love it,” said Matayaya.
One of two girls in the chosen group, Eva Morife, who was also celebrating her 11th birthday on the day, said she loved golf because she had the opportunity to interact with people and she loved people.
The children’s teacher, Celiwe Mntungwa, did not want to be left out and is also part of the programme, which will be run indefinitely.
‘There’ll always be a circulation of children if this group leaves the school or decide to drop out,” said Burger.
