From Maidstone caddy to golf coach, paving the way for underprivileged youth
As the SA Golf Academy continues to expand its reach and impact, Mhlongo remains steadfast in his vision of empowering young golfers across South Africa.
Eric Mhlongo is working to ensure the next generation of underprivileged golfers have fewer obstacles to hurdle than he did.
Originally from Tongaat, Eric showed great promise as a young golfer but had little opportunity to chase his dreams in apartheid South Africa.
Now 45 years on from when he first picked up a club, he hopes to unearth some talent that otherwise would not have been found through his SA Golf Academy organisation.
“Golf has always been a part of my life,” said Eric.
“Growing up near Maidstone Golf Club, it was something I wanted to be around from when I was very young.”
He first joined Maidstone as a caddy in 1978 when he was barely 12 years old, getting a feel for the game from afar.
To perfect his swing, Eric and his brothers would hit cans with a bended piece of copper piping, shaped more like a hockey stick than a golf club.
It was practice nonetheless, and a few opportunities to hit actual golf balls soon followed.
“I first joined Maidstone as a golfer in 1986 and the club staff told me I needed to play three full rounds before they could give me a handicap,” he said.
“Three rounds later and they told me I was a 3 handicap, which was a surprise to everyone!”
With some support, Eric entered into a ‘blacks’ professional tournament in Johannesburg later that year, returning with R1 500.
Unbeknownst to him, claiming prize money meant he could no longer play as an amateur back home and he had to serve a two-year suspension.
He was first selected to play for KZN in 1989 but sparingly few opportunities to make a career in the sport were available in the coming years.
“I got to the point where I decided I had to work on my life. I had no foundation, no house, no proper education.
“I studied through Damelin College between 1993-1997, working as a security guard to earn a living. I barely had time to touch a golf club in the 90s.”
He would later start his own security company and began playing more regularly at his adopted home course of Mt Edgecombe.
Thirty-one years since his last call-up, he made the KZN team once again, playing in the senior inter-provincial tournament in 2019.
“It has been so great to play competitively again. I also turned pro again – this time on purpose – and played a few times on the Sunshine Seniors Tour!”
With some more time on his hands, Eric enrolled as a PGA apprentice in 2020 and completed his golf coach’s training last year.
Part of the practical aspect was coaching at Umhlali Country Club, where he often plays.
He later founded the SA Golf Academy in August and has already started training budding golfers across the province.
“One day I hope to teach golf across the country but we’re starting local for now. I don’t want these kids to travel the route I travelled.
“We are currently looking for more consistent funding so we can keep track of and help more youngsters. Sometimes talented golfers will come once or twice and disappear – we want to help them stay and grow.”
The academy is hosting a fundraising golf day at Umhlali on April 25 and is looking for sponsorship.
Find contact details and more information at sagolfacademyandtraining.co.za.
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