PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release 18th May 2009
“REHABILITATION THROUGH GOLF”
Golf is a game played with honesty, integrity, etiquette, respect for fellowman and it demands
humility from the very best. These principles and values are used effectively in the “Golf Wise”
programme, as in life.
In January 2006, Dale Hayes wrote an article on Operation Exodus in his regular column in Compleat Golfer
magazine, and almost a year later “Golf Wise” was launched.
“Golf Wise” is a golf rehabilitation programme for offenders, run in a partnership between the Professional Golfers
Association of South Africa, the Greenkeeper’s Association of South Africa, the Club Management Association of
South Africa and Dale Hayes Golf Events.
The aim of the programme is not to teach the offenders to play golf (although this fun aspect also forms part of the
programme) but rather to make them “Golf Wise” and provide them with the fundamental skills required to perform a
trade at a golfing facility, through education and practical experience of working on a golf course.
The Golf Wise Programme covers elements of the history of golf, to how it’s played, to the etiquette and then focuses
on the basics of green keeping (course construction and maintenance and education in why, for example, we rake
bunkers, leave the rough long, cut the greens short and hollow tine).
During the learning process, we believe that offenders are given a better understanding and passion for the game of
golf, which not only increases their chances of employment on their release but in a small way, helps to reduce the
level of crime in our country.
The Department of Correctional Service’s policy of “rehabilitation through sport” struck a chord with us because we
see golf as unique. Unlike other sports it offers a large number of job opportunities.
Golf Courses and Driving Ranges need staff in; clubhouse, catering, maintenance, caddies, retail and teaching, while
golf estates require developers, architects, course construction, home builders and estate agents, and then there are
the equipment manufacturers, clothing manufacturers, gifting and event companies to name only some options.
According to the recent Economic Impact Study of Golf in SA, commissioned by the PGA of SA – Golf
generates R58 Billion to the overall GDP. It creates employment for more than 50 000 people in SA.
Sport is a powerful agent for promoting social cohesion and it is able to bring together people from different walks of
life; just think back to events such as the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the 1996 African Cup of Nations and the 2007
Rugby World Cup.
Glencoe Correctional Centre, near Dundee in Kwa-Zulu Natal was the first correctional facility to agree to a “pilot
programme”. Eight offenders were enrolled in January 2007 and were given basic training in the game of golf and
greenkeeping. They were also allowed to work on the golf course under supervision, for the practical experience. At
the end of that year six offenders received Certificates of Attendance at an awards ceremony.
In 2008 the programme continued to operate at Glencoe and seven new offenders were enrolled. The participants
from the year before were allowed to continue attending lectures and were also incorporated into the work force on
the Glencoe Golf Course.
During the course of 2008 it was agreed the programme was proving successful and the partners decided that a more formal programme would be registered with the Department of Correctional Services from 2009.
Continuing into 2009, Glencoe has eight new offenders on the Golf Wise programme, and we have expanded into a
second facility, Leeuwkop Correctional Centre, where twelve offenders have been enrolled in the programme.
The Professional Golfers Association of S.A. has also taken over the official administrative function of the programme
and together with the Greenkeeper's Association of S.A. has developed a formal education course which serves as an
entry level of skills training in Green Keeping 101.
It is because of the success of the programme, in uplifting and changing the lives of offenders, that we are holding a
Pro Am event today (18th May 2009) to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Correctional Services.
We readily acknowledge that we have touched a very small segment of the offender population through our
programme, but the potential for great impact is certainly there. The prospective future of the programme obviously
exists in extending it into other correctional facilities around the country, starting with those that have access to golf
courses.
The expansion of the programme will however continue to depend on a few factors, namely, financial support from
sponsors and the Department of Correctional Services; the commitment from the Department of Correctional Services to following through on day to day practical procedures required by the program and the success we have in the employment of offenders that have been released.
The programme would not operate without the support of the Greenkeeper’s and PGA Professionals who generously
give of their time to lecture. Lectures take place at each venue for four hours twice a month. One lecture is presented
by a PGA Professional and the other, by a Greenkeeper.
The lectures include both theoretical and practical aspects of the game and working on a golf course. In addition, the
offenders are expected to be given at least three sessions of practical exposure on the golf course each week, which
allows them to put their lectures into practice. Golf Course designer, Peter Matkovich is on hand to assist with advice
for basic re-design work which gives us something measurable and exciting to work towards. The Club Management
Association of SA has agreed to assist us in putting out the word for potential job placements within the industry.
The following PGA Professionals and Greenkeeper’s are currently involved in the programme:
Glencoe:
- PGA Professional’s – Graham Tregear (Emberton Driving Range) & Thomas Raatgever (Kloof CC)
- Greenkeeper's – Chris Sherwell (Umdoni Park), Kriben Gounder (Victoria CC), Trevor Longmore (Cathedral
Peak GC) & Martin van Niekerk (Estcourt GC)
Leeuwkop:
- PGA Professional’s – Elsabe Hefer (Zwartkop CC), Nathan Maluleke (World of Golf) and Kenneth Dube
(Springs CC)
- Greenkeeper's – Fanie Bester (Gardener Ross GE), Craig Hunter (Blair Atholl GE), Malcolm Brommley
(Royal Johannesburg & Kensington GC)
In its infancy this programme has relied on the generous sponsorship from friends within the golf industry and we truly
appreciate their support; Price Waterhouse Coopers, Vodacom, Matkovich & Hayes, SuperGolf; Compleat Golfer,
Hayes, Matkovich & Associates, NGN, Golf Notions and Golf Cars Unlimited.
Golf Wise Mission:-
- To meet our social responsibility aspects
- To provide structured golf skills programmes at Level 1 and 2 in Greenkeeping and Golf Etiquette.
- To open up channels for employment for the successful offenders who complete the programme
- To ignite a passion for the game of golf and an understanding of the ethos and the history of the game.
For further details contact:
PGA of SA
(011) 485-1370 |
