Our People

Retief Goosen

Two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen has been an ardent supporter of the SADGA for nearly two decades having become a patron in 2002. The Goose embodies many of the qualities that we try to instill in our members. Chief among them is his humility despite the abundant success he has enjoyed throughout his career. His work ethic and longevity too are to be commended and it brings the SADGA great joy to see Retief adding to his impressive resume with his first Senior Major Championship title at the 2019 Senior Players Championship.Retief is passionate about positively impacting disabled golf in South Africa – mostly through his wine label Goose Wines and he is a keen social media follower of ours. All of us feel privileged to count a player of Retief s stature in the game among our patrons.

Dale Hayes

One of the great golf personalities not just in South Africa but in the world, Dale Hayes has been a patron of the SADGA since 2015 though his support of disabled golf dates back far longer than that.Dale is truly one of a kind. His excellent humour and wit has been a major drawcard of many SADGA events. His humour is only surpassed by his generosity and kind-hearted nature. For a number of years Dale s course – Zwartkop Country Club – has been the home of disabled golf in Gauteng, offering SADGA members fantastic rates and allowing them to be part of a welcoming and inclusive environment. Dale has always encouraged our members to play the game in the right way and for the right reasons. He encourages everyone to play for the love of the game and to forge the lifelong friendships that are unique to the game of golf.

Emil Maehler

Emil Maehler is a disabled golfer who was diagnosed at birth with Spastic Cerebral Palsy and although physically disabled, he can walk and has the use of his right side. His adversities, however, have made him more determined and he works hard to achieve his goals both on and off the golf course. Emil is a very sociable young man known for his wonderful smile.

 charlene Pienaar

Charlene Pienaar has entrenched herself as one of the very best blind golfers in the world, underlined most recently by her wins at the 2023 SA Blind Open and IBGA World Championship respectively. Quietly confident, Charlene Pienaar sets a fine example for her fellow female SADGA golfers as she prefers to let her clubs do the talking.

Since a car accident prior to her 21st birthday left her Visually-Impaired, Charlene has become a fantastic example to all those who have had a disability forced upon them: living her life with humility and is just eager to make the most of the challenges her situation presents.