Former caddies play golf in Ethne’s honour

BETHAL – Ms Ethne van der Meyden (71) is a humanitarian who began to teach black children to play golf when she saw their potential.

“I do not see colour when I look at a person.

“I look at the soul and the spirit of the person.

“When I began playing golf in 1967, black boys were the caddies.

“They had so much potential and it broke my heart to think that they would not have the opportunity to learn how to play golf.

“I decided to change that and to give them a chance, so I began teaching them how to play golf,” said Ms Van der Meyden.

She has been a member of Bethal Golf Club since 1967 when the club had 25 women members.

She was a club champion for 14 times and the president of the Mpumalanga Women Golf Association.

Not only was she a great golfer, but she was also a Mpumalanga hockey player.

Ms Van der Meyden is also the only women honourable member of a golf club in Mpumalanga.

“Because the caddies were not allowed to play golf at Bethal Golf Club at that time, I loaded about 16 caddies in our family Kombi and my husband, our children and I took them to a golf course where caddies were allowed to play.

“We borrowed golf gear from fellow golfers and I packed lunch boxes and cool drinks for the children.

“I kept score for them and taught them some more skills,” Ms Van der Meyden said.

Many of the caddies who she coached, became club champions at Bethal Golf Club.

Some have even been chosen for the club committee.

“I have never charged a sent and did it absolutely for the love of it.

“I did not only teach black children, but white children as well.

“Parents should remember that they can not force their children to play golf.

“Your child should have a passion for the sport, otherwise they will never be or stay interested in the game.

“It must be for the love of the game,” Ms Van der Meyden said.

The caddies at Bethal Golf Club have a special golf day planned for 28 May.

It is to raise funds in honour of Ms Van der Meyden.

The trick shot artist Michael Scholz has agreed to attend.

In the 1990s, Ms Van der Meyden had teamed up with Martin Pinto in golf development structures and helped caddies receive free golf lessons.

Out of this group of caddies, five have won the Bethal Club Championship.

“All thanks to Ethne and her good heart, friendliness and non-racial attitude,” said Mr Veli Shabangu, one of the caddies who was coached by Ms Van der Meyden.

“Ethne still occasionally comes to the club with her husband.

“She is truly our champion and a mother who we love.

“May her selfless spirit spread to golfers of all races, and we hope her story will inspire further acts of racial tolerance and social cohesion at our club and elsewhere.”

Ms Van der Meyden said: “I was stunned when I heard that the caddies have organised a golf day in my honour.”

“I never expected something like this.

“It was wonderful to know that they acknowledge what they have learned and it warms my heart to know that I have made such a big difference without really knowing how big.”

She still teaches golf from time to time, but because of health issues is not that actively involved any more.

She will however play on 28 May.