Budding young Benoni golfers tee up for promising careers in the game
Golf has long carried the reputation of being an expensive and exclusive sport, but in communities across South Africa, it is becoming a tool for teaching discipline, resilience and opportunity to youngsters who might otherwise never pick up a club. Initiatives like the Vuma Golf Clinics are changing perceptions by showing how access to coaching and mentorship can open doors to new futures. The Vuma Golf Clinics recently opened the gates at Benoni Country Club, giving aspiring young golfers the chance to take their first swing at possibility.
According to Nico van Rensburg, former Sunshine Tour player and Head Coach, in towns and cities where opportunities for young people are limited, golf clinics create safe spaces for building confidence, learning perseverance and developing friendships. “For parents and communities, the value lies not only in the trophies won but in the way the game instils focus and determination that can carry into every part of life.”
Two Free State teenagers, 14-year-old Botshepehi Phakoe and 17-year-old Xander Thompson, are proof of what happens when talent meets access.
Phakoe has dominated junior tournaments this year, claiming five victories, including the Kroonstad and Bethlehem Junior Opens. For him, golf has been both a sport and a lifeline. “Being part of the clinics has taught me a lot about myself and who I am. They’ve helped me grow into a better player and strong person, and they’ve supported me every step of my season,” he says.
Thompson has also flourished since joining in 2023, lifting five junior titles. “Every time I’ve attended a Vuma Golf Clinic, I’ve met someone new who was willing to help me elevate my game. It’s changed me to become a better person, and the coaching has been unmatched,” he says.
Guided by seasoned mentors, including van Rensburg and his friends from the golf scene, such as Leorin Pillay and Eugene Schwartz, friends from his golf circle who sometimes join him at the clinics, the Vuma Golf Clinics give youngsters the chance to learn skills on the course while building character off it.
“Stories like Botshepehi’s and Xander’s are an important reminder of why we invest in these clinics,” says Simon Butler, Chief Commercial Officer at Vuma. “These young golfers, who show so much commitment and grit throughout the clinics, are a testament to the power of opportunity, and why initiatives like these that help young South Africans reach their potential are crucial.”
For Phakoe and Thompson, the dream is already bigger than their current wins. Phakoe hopes to play Division 1 golf in the USA before making a run at the PGA tour, while Thompson has his sights on the Sunshine Tour and beyond. Their journeys prove that with the right support, even a sport once out of reach can become a gateway to extraordinary futures.
Read the article here: https://lifestyleandtech.co.za...