by superadmin | Mar 22, 2022 | FSP News, Uncategorized
Dominican Defeat Mary Kihn
Dominican School For The Deaf defeated Mary Kihn School For The Partially Hearing 21-15 in a nine-hole team match played at Rondebosch Golf Club on Friday.
The fixture – which featured three golfers from the respective schools – marked the first time that two of SADGA’s First Swing Program schools had played against one another outside of the annual Deaf Interschools tournament.
The day was a resounding success with golfers from both schools playing some terrific golf. With loads of banter exchanged prior to the contest it was great to see that everyone played the game in the right spirit which highlighted what fantastic SADGA ambassadors there are within the First Swing Program.
Another feature of the fixture which made for a memorable day was the fact that there were as many female golfers as male golfers, all of whom are exciting prospects for the future.
In the end Dominican prevailed by six points but in light of the success of the inaugural fixture it won’t be long before the Mary Kihn golfers get an opportunity to exact revenge.
A sincere thank you to Rondebosch Golf Club for the incredibly generous green fees offered, the gesture means a great deal to everyone at the SADGA. Thank you to Western Province Golf for the ongoing support.
by superadmin | Mar 10, 2022 | FSP News, Uncategorized
Cape Town, 10 March 2022:
A fantastic outdoor golf net for use by our First Swing Program golfers was unveiled at Dominican School For The Deaf on Tuesday.
With Western Province Golf GM of Operations Robbie Scott and WPG Executive Paul Slater as well as Western Province Senior Women’s Golf Society’s Barbara Schwarz in attendance, the much-anticipated event began with a few words from FSP coach Charles Williams.
Addressing the assembled children, Williams reflected on his Canon Open Series victory in 2021 and impressed on them the need to have a positive mindset and good work ethic in pursuit of their dreams.
WPG Executive SADGA representative, Paul Slater also said a few words before the children broke off into smaller groups to participate in various activities coordinated by the FSP Elite squad members.
A fun-filled day drew to a close with Schwarz handing out small goodie bags to the children as a thank you for their attendance.
SADGA Chairman Enver Hassen remarked that the installation of the net will see the already-impressive FSP contingent at Dominican elevate their respective games to even greater heights.
“The FSP talent pool at Dominican is already incredibly deep and the addition of this net to the facilities at the school is fantastic as it provides an opportunity for the golfers to hone their skills outside of organised practices at King David Mowbray Golf Club,” remarked Hassen.
“The installation of this net wouldn’t have been possible without the generous donation from Western Province Golf and WPSWGS so I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to both parties for their generosity,” Hassen concluded.
Photo: Theresa Coetzee/ Dominican School For the Deaf & Craig Stirton/SADGA
by superadmin | Mar 12, 2021 | FSP News, Uncategorized
The South African Disabled Golf Association is delighted to announce that Bongi Kondlo has joined the First Swing Program Academy in the Western Cape.
Kondlo is something of a trailblazer in South African disabled golf as she becomes the first female to join the FSP academy.
Kondlo will also embark on a learnership through DynaTraining – an institution whose primary focus is to positively impact the lives of the South african youth. Kondlo’s learnership will see her complete a qualification in business administration.
SADGA Executive Director Craig Moorgas welcomed Kondlo to the association and called her admission into the academy “a step in the right direction”.
“Of late we have been making a concerted effort to introduce a greater number of girls and women with permanent disabilities to the game and Bongi’s inclusion in the FSP Academy is certainly a step in the right direction in this regard,” commented Moorgas.
“While it would be fantastic if Bongi were to develop into a great golfer – educating our academy members and helping them realise a brighter future for themselves remains our primary objective.
“The qualification Bongi obtains through DynaTraining will open a number of doors for her which is wonderful.”
“On behalf of everyone at the SADGA, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Bongi and trust that this is the beginning of a fantastic relationship between the SADGA and this talented young woman.”
For more information about SADGA, please visit www.sadga.co.za or follow SADGA on
· Facebook : SADGA-South-African-Disabled-Golf-Association
· Twitter: @sadga101
· Instagram: sadga_rsa
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
by superadmin | Mar 1, 2021 | FSP News, Uncategorized
The SADGA’s First Swing Program is off to a very successful start in 2021 with coaching sessions underway in many different parts of the country.
Mary Kihn pupil Uzu Kroti has been receiving coaching from Alan Michel at Clovelly Country Club while Simo Mdudu has been assisting with some of Kroti’s on course practice. Mdudu has been teaching Sinako Mboniswa the fundamentals of the golf swing and their work to date has been very encouraging.
“Sinako now hits her driver very straight and into the wind she manages to hit the ball 130 metres which is impressive after only four coaching sessions,” says Mdudu.
Mdudu praised Mboniswa’s work ethic and her desire to play the game.
“Sinako is playing well and working hard. She wants to play golf and sees it as an opportunity.”
Mdudu continues to work with leg-amputee Anda Mthulu. Anda continues to show signs of improvement and recently received his own set of left-handed clubs which will help him continue to make steady progress in the game.
Pierre Kotze meanwhile has received private coaching from Pearl Valley PGA Professional James Wade working predominantly on the golf swing. While there is still room for improvement, Pierre has already made significant strides in his development.
In Northern Gauteng, PGA student Curtley Roberts has overseen the successful resumption of coaching at St Vincent School for The Deaf which is no doubt a welcome distraction for the children amid the rigours and stress of their academic programmes.
In Port Elizabeth meanwhile, the coaches at Graeme Whale Golf have been giving lessons to the pupils at Reubin Birin while the Elite players have also been practicing and playing at Port Elizabeth Golf Club. Deaf golfers Ayakha Mdali and Usher Manel also participated in the February Port Elizabeth Provincial Day.
Finally, PGA student Sandile Msimango has been coaching the FSP Elite players in the Kwazulu-Natal region. Like their Port Elizabeth counterparts, they’ve gained valuable on-course experience through the monthly Provincial Days.
SADGA Executive Director Craig Moorgas commended the application shown by the coaches and pupils alike.
“Covid-19 safety regulations forced a rethink of the way we conduct our coaching sessions but both our coaches and players should be commended for the dedication they’ve shown thus far in 2021 and it’s fantastic to see their hard work beginning to pay dividends,” said Moorgas.
“We have some exciting things in the First Swing Program pipeline and we are invigorated by the challenge of delivering high quality coaching in spite of the ongoing struggles within our society at present.”
For more information about SADGA, please visit www.sadga.co.za or follow SADGA on
· Facebook : SADGA-South-African-Disabled-Golf-Association
· Twitter: @sadga101
· Instagram: sadga_rsa
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
by superadmin | Sep 2, 2020 | FSP News, Uncategorized
First Swing Program golfer Jontey Kotze’s game is improving steadily, thanks in large part to a new pitching technique.
It is often said that a sound short-game can save you shots and hold rounds together. As such, Kotze, who is blind, has been hard at work with coach Justin Godfrey on trying to achieve greater consistency around the greens.
“I have introduced a new technique for him to practise with pitch shots. The technique promotes consistency with the short game which is exactly what we are trying to achieve,” said Godfrey.
“I have seen a tremendous improvement in distance control and feel over the last month whilst implementing this new technique.”
Godfrey remarked that Kotze’s ability to convey what he is feeling during the swing has also gone a long way to solidifying the player-coach relationship.
“He provides constant feedback when we have course sessions which is crucial to keeping the relationship strong as it also helps me understand what he is feeling during the swing.”
As for the future, Godfrey has recently obtained his TPI qualification which has allowed him to assess Kotze’s physical capabilities and target the areas in need of improvement going forward.
“This has allowed me to see what parts of his body need strengthening and also tells me what parts can’t function at 100% in the golf swing.
“I have given corrective exercises for him to do daily so that we can build his body foundation and let it go from strength to strength.”
We are proud of the amazing progress Jontey and Justin are making together and have no doubt that with continued hard work, Jontey will continue to raise his game.
For more information about SADGA, please visit www.sadga.co.za or follow SADGA on
· Facebook : SADGA-South-African-Disabled-Golf-Association
· Twitter: @sadga101
· Instagram: sadga_rsa
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
by superadmin | Aug 24, 2020 | FSP News, Uncategorized
There is nothing quite like that first golf lesson. Learning how to grip the club and taking that first swing at the golf ball. Thanks to the First Swing Program coaches, Anda Mthulu got his first taste of the game on a memorable Friday at King David Mowbray Golf Club.
When starting out in the game it is key that one has sound fundamentals. First and foremost this begins with the grip. Simo Mdudu spent the early stages of the lesson showing Anda how one grips the club using the interlocking grip.
The FSP coaches also stressed the fact that, as a leg-amputee it is vital that Mthulu develops a rhythmic and balanced swing. Anda is someone with a background in forms of dance and more recently wheelchair basketball. As such Mdudu, Daren Hanekom and Charles Williams are confident that with time and effort, Mthulu has it in him to become a very good golfer.
When starting the game, enjoyment too is key and it was evident throughout the session that Anda thoroughly enjoyed himself.
The coaching also offered aspiring PGA professionals Hanekom and Williams an opportunity to showcase their coaching skills to Pearl Valley Golf Academy instructor James Wade. Wade lauded the way the pair encouraged Mthulu before each shot and exercised patience throughout.
Going forward he implored them to do as much research into the coaching philosophies of world-renowned instructors such as Sean Foley and Butch Harmon as possible. Wade explained that this would allow Hanekom and Williams to form their own views on the golf swing and impart the knowledge gained on their students in future. Many thanks to James for giving of his time to make our aspiring PGA professionals better coaches.
We as an association can’t wait to watch Anda’s progress in the months to come.
info@sadga.co.za
