The Provincial Government of the Western Cape has signed a Declaration of Intent with FirstGolf Ltd that will lead to the Firstgolf concept promoting social cohesion as well as growing the game.
Representatives of the Premier of the Western Cape visited the Firstgolf course at Rye Hill Golf Club in Oxfordshire last weekend and saw for themselves the powerful appeal of the game to beginners and children from as young as four.
The nine hole course includes trees, bunkers and water hazards with colourful clubs and course furniture. Everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy the game, to embrace its challenges and to observe its ethics.
Ebrahim Rasool, Premier of the Western Cape, was the keynote speaker at the recent South African Golf Summit at Fancourt where he met the co-founders of Firstgolf, Gill Wilson and Howard Swan.
Premier Rasool was quick to recognise that by offering affordable, available and sustainable golf Firstgolf will have a lasting impact on the broader South Africa, embracing education, careers and healthier lifestyles.
With the emphatic endorsement of Firstgolf from the Premier’s team of advisors, led by Mr Leonard Ramatlakane, that has followed their visit to the UK, the Declaration of Intent, signed in London on Tuesday will quickly be followed by the preparation of a more detailed document and the development of pilot initiatives in two of the government’s priority areas before the end of this year – a time-table for action that should serve as an example to many.
It only goes to show how quickly golf development can progress when it is championed by top political leaders and embraced by all the key stakeholders.
Firstgolf www.firstgolfcourses.com