Golfing mayor Cynthia drives development
The initiative will now surely spread to other clubs.
FORE! She’s a jolly good fellow. So say all of… everyone who took part in Hibiscus Coast Mayor Cynthia Mqwebu’s development golf day at Margate on Friday.
With one straight drive, Mayor Mqwebu elevated the sport which is so crucial to the prosperity of South Africa’s ‘Golf Coast’, as Ugu South Coast Tourism is want to market us.
And why not? The South Coast is blessed with some of the best and most friendly golf clubs in the country.
Gone are the days when golf was for an elitist few who jealously guarded their fairways with affordable green fees for ‘members only’. To become a member one needed a proposer, seconder and a host of other signatures to sanction their application before being accepted.
Now clubs like Margate and Port Shepstone are charging juniors a mere token to play and are even offering regular coaching clinics.
Local clubs are also opening their arms to new members, offering affordable rates and payment options.
Margate is leading the way by actively promoting the sport at a development level, with the help (financially and morally) of the mayor and Nomads.
The latter – the largest club of amateur golfers in the world – spends millions on golf development and the Southern Natal chapter is in partnership with the mayor to offer professional help.
“I might even start playing myself when the SA Women’s Open comes to San Lameer in November,” Mayor Mqwebu told the Herald on Friday, dressed in golfing attire herself… shoes, cap and all.
A large field of local golfers played in the fourball alliance competition which also enjoyed the sponsorship of numerous local businesses (including the Herald), allowing for a host of prizes and for several young golfers to be kitted out from head to toe.
The competition was organised by Southern Natal Nomads Bobby Naidoo and Shaka Langa. The group of youngsters, all dressed in bright red, played alongside the more accomplished golfers. It was evident that the regular Saturday morning coaching sessions at Margate were paying off and they certainly didn’t disgrace themselves.
The day ended with virtually everyone walking away with a prize, full tummies from an excellent spread and royally entertained by a jazz band.
The initiative will now surely spread to other clubs, like Port Shepstone, and it could just herald a revival of local golf rounds in the future, a dilemma which has been a major concern for clubs countrywide.
Results of the mayor’s development fourball alliance golf day : 1 Monde Nondabula, Mawethu Mankwente, Luvuyo Tshawgase, Siyabonga Mbola 123 points oco, 2 K Govender, G Raman, B Pillay, K Kandasam, 3 Sbu Ntozakhe, Elvis Kwawula, Koko Zithumane, Mot Moleele 120, 4 Ronnie Mtshaka, Vusi Mapmumule, Mngobi Gonangwane, Sanele Nyanale 118, 5 D Sima, E Dube, E Mseleku, M Mbambo 116 oco.
