When young girls –who have never dreamt of becoming golfers – see successful female golfers blazing trails on the golf courses of South Africa and beyond, this is when the game will truly capture their imaginations and create a desire to partake.
This is the thinking behind Standard Bank’s Golf Development Programme, which is affiliated with top female role models such as Ladies European Tour professional golfer Nobuhle Dlamini, who now ranks 51st in the world amateur lady rankings.
As the programme’s ambassador and knowing how a little encouragement can inspire others –and just a couple of days after returning from doing duty in Europe – Dlamini was overseeing the start of Level One of the Standard Bank Golf Development Programme at Nomimi Primary School in Orange Farm, in the Midvaal.
This was before she went on to win the Standard Bank Pro-Am Series tournament that was held at the magnificent Silverlakes Golf Estate in Tshwane on Thursday, 7 October.
“As more and more young South African girls and women are discovering, there is no game like golf for opening doors in all walks of life,” says Lee-John Maans, Head: Personal Banking, Gauteng Province at Standard Bank.
“Whether your aim is to work towards a place at the pinnacle of the sport – as Nobuhle and others are doing – or simply to play golf for the joy of it, there has never been a better time for young South African girls and women to take up the sport.”
An Ambassador of the Standard Bank Golf Development Programme, Nobuhle will also be visiting the golf clinics arranged for the day and offering the participants – all aspiring young female golfers – some tips on how to be great at the game of golf.
This is because the level and quality of support for young female golfers is unprecedented, says Maans.
“There is room for everyone to grow – from the young beginner who is setting foot on a golf course for the first time to top amateur and professional players wanting more playing time so that they can further hone their skills.”
Nobuhle herself confirms that golf in South Africa has become far more accessible to young girls and women than when she first started playing.
“I wish I had had such facilities available to me when I first got introduced to the sport,” she says, referring to the Standard Bank Golf Development Programme. “I hope in working closely with the organisation we can reach more young girls and women and help close the accessibility gap through the development clinics.”
For girls and young women not yet convinced about the benefits of taking up golf, here are a few more advantages to consider:
Playing golf helps your ability to focus and concentrate, relieves stress, and has an overall calming effect.
It’s a healthy activity. Played outdoors and in the fresh air, golf can provide moderate-intensity physical exercise that counters the effects of today’s sedentary lifestyle.
Golf is a great way to network, which can enhance career and business success.
It’s empowering and uplifting, particularly for young girls and women.
“The sport has transitioned immensely in recent years, with girls and women making their presence felt on the golf course,” adds Maans. “As a financial institution, we are excited to be part of the drive to grow women’s golf on all levels and create opportunities for women golfers.”
