Umhlali Country Club a swing above the rest

Umhlali Country Club’s golf masters are leading the pack – upping their status and scooping up awards.

Pro Shop manager and coach Brendan Erasmus earned his Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Professional Class A status, while golf manager Derick Reinke was awarded AAA status.

“You can upgrade your status every three years by earning continued professional development (CPD) points. These points are awarded for attending seminars and playing in tournaments,” said Erasmus, who grew up on the golf course and has been playing since grade one.

The 22-year-old golfer has been with the club for just over three years now and coaches the club’s Junior Development Academy as well as private clients.

“On average we have about 15 kids who come from underprivileged local areas in the academy.

“Golf is a good, healthy escape for them and teaches them commitment, respect and manners. Currently three of our kids play for KZN. If they show they are willing to work, it can open a lot of doors and opportunities for them.”

The club was nominated in four categories at the annual Club Management Association of SA (CMASA) awards and while they came runner up for three of the awards, they took home the Green Award.

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Reinke, who has raked up numerous awards under his name over the years, also won KZN PGA Professional of the Year 2018.

“The green award was awarded based on how environmentally friendly and consciously we run the golf course. Golf courses are often seen as massive areas that just use up a lot of water.

“We make sure the water usage and chemicals on the grass are monitored and controlled carefully, we plant only indigenous trees and we make sure our dams are healthy,” said Reinke, who has been with the club for nearly eight years and won PGA Manager of the Year last year and KZN PGA Professional of the Year 2016.

He said the key to this success is their attention to detail and value received by their members.

“Golf is a struggling business at the moment, so we strive to give people that added value in order to enhance their experience with us making the price tag that comes with golf worthwhile.”

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