To make golf more accessible and identify the next generation of champions, a series of golf clinics will be held at Benoni Country Club on 28 August, led by South African golfing icon Nico Van Rensburg and top coaches Rob Van Velzen, Gavin MacCarthy and Johnathan Morgan.
This initiative is aimed at providing professional training to young golfers from diverse backgrounds across South Africa. After successfully training over 190 players in Free State and Limpopo this season, the programme is now extending its reach to Gauteng. It remains committed to offering quality training and nurturing community empowerment.
Golf is often perceived as a sport for the elite, but this initiative seeks to change this narrative. By travelling throughout South Africa and providing quality professional training, the team is dedicated to scouting and developing the next generation of golf champions. The upcoming clinics in Gauteng will continue this mission, providing young players with the opportunity to learn from some of the country’s top golf coaches.
“Participating in sports, especially the beautiful game of golf, can be an incredibly rewarding experience for young people. For developing bodies and minds, golf is particularly good for building strength and endurance, teaching important skills and lessons, like concentration, how to manage emotions, and the thrill of working towards a goal,” said Van Rensburg.
Established in 2021, the initiative partners with leading fibre network operator Vuma to support young golfers who may lack access to resources or the means to afford ongoing training. The Vuma Golf Clinics have shaped many young golfers’ careers, including Daniel Bennett, whose career has seen him flourishing and playing abroad, and Zinan Maimane, who recently won the Gauteng North Golf Union (GNGU) Closed A-Division by five shots.
“Golf can be an expensive sport to play, hence we work tirelessly to develop and scout the next generation of champions by ensuring young players have access to free quality training early in their careers, giving them a solid foundation. We invite kids of all backgrounds and walks of life to take part in golf clinics, where they get to learn from the country’s top coaches, while enjoying a fun-filled day with other young golfers, with loads of food and prizes,” Nico added.
Thanks to the power of the internet that continues to transform lives, young players can take videos of their swings and share them with their coaches, the coaches will then upload the videos on the Golf Coach App and provide feedback. This effortless exchange of information allows for real-time feedback and improvements, helping players refine their skills more effectively than ever before. With the power of technology bridging the gap between players and coaches, the future of training in sports like golf is set to become even more accessible.
“Nothing brings me joy like nurturing young golfers. Seeing young people’s eagerness and willingness to learn reminds me of the first time I played golf. Working with people and coaching is something that I am passionate about and I cannot wait to discover the next Gauteng championship,” said Rob van Velzen.
As part of its ongoing mission to empower ordinary people to be extraordinary and connect young people to endless opportunities, Vuma proudly sponsors talented players like Bennett and Maimane. This sponsorship supports their participation in golf clinics, golf tournaments and their pursuit of golfing careers.
As these young golfers swing towards success, they embody the spirit of unity and perseverance that sports bring to the nation. With continued support from Vuma Golf Clinics, the future of golf in South Africa looks brighter than ever, promising not only sporting excellence but also community empowerment and economic growth.