Youth and women tee off to great golf!

THEMBISA Golf Club aims to lure more youngsters and women into the gentlemen's game.

This was announced by club deputy secretary-general Nokuthula Thomas on Sunday, 26 January.

The club hosted the Thembisa Express Cup (Tebex) Championship Tournament at the at Blue Valley Golf Estate, Midrand, and at Kempton Park Golf Course on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

The prize-giving ceremony was held at the Kempton Park Golf Course on Sunday.

"We'd like to see the sport become dominant among the youth of Thembisa.

"Lucky enough, we've already established the Thembisa Golf Club Development which has 30 youths. This will make it easy for the newcomers to adapt and increase the number of women who are interested to learn the game," said Thomas.

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She said the club has 10 women who are not playing regularly; however, they're hoping to introduce a programme aimed at helping them play at least once or twice a month.

"Golf is a unique sport that offers many life lessons to those willing to learn.

"What's great about it, is it has no age limit. Give it a try and you'll learn more about what it takes to have discipline, a hard work ethic, and perseverance to keep going even when the game gets tough," said Thomas.

One of the sponsors of the tournament Phindi Sidu, who is the founder and CEO of PHC Trading Entreprise, said they have a responsibility to grow the sport ekasi.

"We all have a role to promote the sport in the townships by investing in the youth. I'm excited and in full support of the club's youth development programmes, including the one at Ebuhleni Golf Course.

"If we find kids who are keen on playing golf, we must help by buying them golf equipment and kit.

"By so doing, we're helping our kids grow and giving them a platform to participate in the sport," said Sidu.

Meanwhile, Thabo Phetoane scooped the Thembisa Express Cup Championship Tournament. He was consistent throughout the year and on Sunday he scooped a trophy and the R6 300 first prize.

"I'm delighted to win the trophy. It wasn't easy because we have great players who were playing well throughout the year," said Thabo.

Other winners include Ayanda Jako, who took second position, Mike Mohale came in third, Samuel Boshielo fourth, and Leagilwe Magasa fifth.

They also received prize money.

The Thembisa Golf Club introduced a similar tournament in the FedEx Cup format by the Professional Golfers' Association of America.

They imitated the FedEx Cup format and became the first social golf club to do so, and 12 players participated in the season's format tournament.