Women’s golf development gains momentum

Close to 100 girls between the ages of eight to 16 could benefit from the groundbreaking Standard Bank Golf Development Programme set to be rolled out from May 18.
Aimed at taking the game of golf directly to the girls to create interest and excitement for the game and generate support for them within their communities, the Standard Bank Golf Development Programme has been designed to grow women’s golf on all levels and create opportunities for young women in South Africa to forge professional careers for themselves in the golf industry through the ability to play, coach and perform all aspects related to the business of golf.
“We are honoured and grateful to Standard Bank for its continued support to upskill and empower talented young girls in South Africa from start to finish. It is our collective mission to empower and drive women and girls to reach new heights through sporting programmes like this,” said Jenny Havenga, founder of Lifestyle Golf and promoter of the Standard Bank Golf Development Programme.
“It is a first in South Africa and it is historical. The impact it will have on the lives of almost 100 girls will be immense,” said Havenga.
The programme will be launched at Serengeti Golf Estates from May 18 and 19 and all golf coaching will be facilitated by professional coaches from the Women’s Professional Golf Association of South Africa (WPGA). The launch dates will serve as player identification fun days, focusing on introducing the game to young females.
The purpose is to identify and recruit 30 girls with potential for participation in the 2021 Golf Development Programme. The day will consist of fun activities, modified golf games and golf instructional clinics conducted by WPGA coaches.
The 2021 Standard Bank Golf Development Programme will cover four levels of abilities and learning from the youngest beginner right through to top amateur and professional players. It will initially be hosted in Gauteng and will grow, in the long term, into a wide-reaching grassroots national programme.
Margie Whitehouse, chairperson of the WPGA, said, “After the successful launch of the inaugural 2021 Standard Bank Programme Series, initiated by Lifestyle Golf in collaboration with the WPGA, we are delighted and most appreciative of Standard Bank’s continued sponsorship and support for the development of the women’s game in Southern Africa. Extending the reach from women to girl children is most exciting and we look forward to playing our part in unearthing and nurturing new talent while enriching lives.”
Schalk Kotze, Standard Bank head of affluent consumer and high net worth clients South Africa, said, “As a financial institution, it is vital for us to enable growth particularly amongst young girls within the sports arena. It is important to equip young girls who have a vested interest in sports and to empower them in learning and growing within the sports. We are delighted to be the head sponsor of such an initiative and to be making a difference in the lives of young girls very early in their lives and careers.”
The various venues are yet to be confirmed but the excitement is building as the sun is beginning to shine on women’s development in golf.