3 Hammers Golf Complex in Wolverhampton has created a twinning project with East and Central Africa’s leading golf academy, AFRIYEA.
By working collaboratively, 3 Hammers and AFRIYEA will exchange ideas and expertise, create fun experiences for the youngsters at both venues with a long-term ambition to create a partnership that will help AFRIYEA achieves its goals in the region.
AFRIYEA, which is based at The Toro Club, was founded in 2020 by Isaiah Mwesige as a means to engage the most vulnerable young people and children in the region. The unique concept connects these youngsters to opportunities to enhance their lives. As well as golf coaching, the youngster attending AFRIYEA receive education, mentorship training, environmental and life skills that will prepare them for adult life.
“We were really inspired to see the splendid work that Isaiah and his team are doing and wanted to see if our team could help create opportunities to help them achieve their goals,” said Ian Bonser, owner of 3 Hammers Golf Complex. “We have already identified a range of collaborations that will create a community that connects the young golfers at both locations, as well as give AFRIYEA access to our expertise. This is just the beginning of what promises to be a really rewarding partnership.”
As of December 2021, the AFRIYEA academy has already introduced over 310 youngsters into golf. Its most recent recruitment campaign introduced the sport to over 40 children in primary schools and will lead to the development of an inter school golf competition. The youngsters are in incredibly capable hands under the tutelage of Head Coach Stephen Kasaij, who is the former national team coach, and his assistant George Kituku, a former national team player, plus a strong field of other national and professional players such as Joseph Cwinya-ai who is the current national team captain, Adolf Muhumuza, Happy Robert, Mackline Nsenga and Koowe Lillian among others.
Mwesige said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for us and the children to connect with people who are as enthusiastic about golf as we are. To gather advice and support from people who have been running a successful academy for over 30 years is really going to help us. I am looking forward to the children meeting each other at our first virtual event in a few weeks’ time.”