On Saturday the launch of a driving range at the Rosemoor Sports ground, an initiative by Mr Joseph Booysen from SA Golf Development, took place. The aim of this range is to "exercise and improve" the skills of young and not so young golfers, and to find new talent in the community, according to Mr Booysen.
The opening was attended by George Golf Club’s GM, Sandra Lennox, Southern Cape Golf Union’s Louis Fourie, Gavin Woodroffe from Oubaai, and Carlo Kok from KeNako Golf Academy, as well as numerous people keen to see this initiative succeed, like Mr Billy Paulsen from PE, and Mr John Coeries.
Mr Booysen and Mr Coeries, both of whom represented Southern Cape in the 80s, will be pouring their expertise, skills and knowledge into teaching youngsters how to play this game. Mr Coeries, who joined the George Golf Club in 1982, went on to play for the Southern Cape team for the next ten years after being selected in 1983.
He hopes to inculcate in young golfers the "privilege to try and play golf" and expose them to all the opportunities that he and fellow talented players like Lendl and Clive Davids did not have access to during the apartheid years.
Also in attendance and ready to help the youngsters keen on learning the game, were Riaan Grootboom (13), Franklin Manchest (13), Brendan Olifant (14) and Robin Meyer (17), who were recently selected to represent Southern Cape in golf.
Mr Booysen currently works with schools in George to teach children the basics of golf and hopes many new boys and girls will pick up this game.
The driving range facilities will be available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Friday afternoon’s after school and Saturdays from 08:00-12:00.
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Chosen for the Southern Cape team: Riaan Grootboom, Franklin Manchest, Brendan Olifant and Robin Meyer are the proud products of Mr Joseph Booysen and SA Golf Development.
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Mr John Coeries, golfer and mentor, with keen young golfers from Rosemoor.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: LEEANNE PRATT
