SADGA ready to build on success

JOHANNESBURG (12 January 2015) – The South African Disabled Golf Association (SADGA) enjoyed incredible growth in 2014, with young stars such as Reinard Schuhknecht and Charl Theron also challenging for honours alongside established names such as Daniel Slabbert and Iglin Grobbelaar.
Both Schuhknecht and Theron achieved top finishes of third and fifth respectively at the Nedbank SA Disabled Golf Open. Schuhknecht earned national colours for disabled golf, competing in the inaugural World Cup of Disabled Golf last year; and won the World One-Arm Championship of Golf. And Theron was once again crowned the Western Province Golf Union’s Disabled Golfer of the Year.
But it was at a development level that SADGA achieved some of its greatest success.
The organisation’s First Swing Program (FSP) continued to grow around South Africa. The FSP offers golf clinics at various schools throughout the country, introducing disabled children to golf but also using the game to expose them to life skills and possible career opportunities within the golf industry.
With the support of the Western Province Golf Union, Boland NOMADs and Langebaan Country Estate, two FSP junior camps were held at Langebaan Country Estate towards the end of last year. These juniors were also invited to attend the Sunshine Tour’s Lion of Africa Cape Town Open.
And in George, the top four FSP juniors from the Carpe Diem School attended a three-day camp at Kingswood Golf Course with SADGA Coach Carlo Kok. 
The FSP juniors all now have official playing kit sponsored by The Sports Trust.
“Last year was an incredible year for us in terms of growth and we are ready to build on this in 2015,” said SADGA CEO Eugene Vorster.
“We are extremely excited about where the FSP is headed. This program has been one of our greatest success stories, and we receive incredible support from our sponsors, particularly BIDVEST; golf courses; and golf unions.
“Golf courses around South Africa have opened their doors for our program, and we’re excited about a new Gauteng base opening at Zwartkop Country Club this year.”