Plans are afoot to significantly enhance the disabled golf offering in the Free State driven by the dedication and enthusiasm of Hanjo Bester and Koos Bierman.
From a numbers standpoint, the Free State is the smallest disabled golf region in the country. Bester and Bierman are determined to change this however and while they only have four affiliated members in the province at the moment, they have set their sights on encouraging more people with permanent disabilities to play the game and are aiming to have 12 members in the not too distant future.
They have devised strategies to tap into both print and broadcast media audiences in order to raise the profile of the game and encourage people to become members of the SADGA. Please also give the Free State SADGA page a Like to follow all the progress they are sure to make in the coming months.
The pair also plans to establish a coaching and training program which is both effective and sustainable. The hope is that the volunteer coaching program to be implemented will help the golfers maximise their potential which is very exciting indeed.
Bester and Bierman are to be commended for the thought they’ve given to the barriers to entry which many beginners face. One of these is without doubt the cost of equipment. The pair are thus encouraging people to donate any second-hand equipment they may have to the Free State SADGA.
By 2022 the Free State aims to showcase its region by hosting a national SA disabled golf event. The Free State SADGA members have certainly taken the first steps towards this by hosting monthly provincial days in recent times and have a number of golf days scheduled to take place in the coming months.
SADGA Executive Director Craig Moorgas praised the initiative shown by Bester and Bierman.
“It has always been our goal to encourage all South Africans with a permanent disability to take up the game. The fine work that Hanjo and Koos have done and continue to do will certainly help us tap into the talent within the Free State which is absolutely fantastic,” said Moorgas
“I want to commend the initiative these two have shown in making a positive impact in the Free State and everyone at the association is thankful to them for their enthusiasm and dedication to enhancing the Free State disabled golf offering.”
For more information about SADGA, please visit www.sadga.co.za or follow SADGA on
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Media enquiries, please contact
Media Liaison
Craig Stirton
t. +83 384 6889
e. craigstirt@gmail.com
SADGA office
Lily Reich
t. +27 (0)82 888 9888 / +27 (0) 21 685 2955
e: lily@sadga.co.za