Wits University has become the first South African tertiary education institution to have a golf driving range, writes Ntuthuko Maphumulo.
Retief Goosen’s victory at the United States Open and the Tiger Woods phenomenon have brought golf to the attention of people who never before would have been interested in the sport. Wits has decided to bring the game to more students with the introduction of a Golf Academy at the Sturrock Park Sports Club.
BA student Lindiwe Sithole of Diepkloof Extension (above, with instructor Nico Snyman) has joined the golf club after finding that hitting the little ball relieves her of her anger. She says: “It is a nice game for relaxing.” She looks forward to becoming the best player at the institution, but is not yet ready to participate in competition. Sithole says her mother finds it amusing that she plays golf.
Snyman trains about 15 students a day on the 400m range and sometimes coaches staff members and business people. Veteran golfer Gavin Hopkins is head coach. Annual membership fees for the club are R100 and it costs R10 to hire a bucket of balls.