You are never too old to play golf

Dispelling a myth that golf won’t keep you fit is a 60-year-old local golfer who started the sport when he was already 58 years old.

Taylor Masilela said when he began the sport in 2016, he was not a newbie on a golf course.

“From 1972 I was a caddie carrying players’ bags and clubs.

“I did that for about 10 years until I got a full-time job that took up all my time. I had to stop going to the golf course.

“In 2016 I was encouraged by veteran golf players to come back to the golf course, but this time around as a player,” Masilela explained.

He said Mporo Matiyase and Stanley Nkosi became his mentors and he has never looked back since.

Masilela spoke passionately about the sport, saying it is a good way to exercise and it reduces stress.

He said he is part of a team that aims to share golf skills with young people in the township and turn them into professional golfers.

Asked about the sport’s challenges, Masilela said the lack of sponsorship is killing the development of golf in the black communities.

“The municipality must meet us halfway by fixing township golf courses, and local businesses must also put in some sponsorship.

“We have a challenge in transporting interested young people to remote suburbs where golf courses are well kept.

“We also need to get food for those children while they are playing there,” said Masilela.

Masilela was disappointed by local businesses that do not take part in grooming young people in the sport.

Masilela encouraged parents to support and introduce their children to the sport because they have a township golf academy to hone new talent.