Golf sixes

In September, GolfRSA invited juniors from Gauteng and Ekurhuleni to test drive the introduction to the popular GolfSixes League at Modderfontein Golf Club and the shorter, fun and fast-paced version of the game proved to be a huge hit, especially among the beginner golfers.

“We had a large group of members from the South African Golf Development Board’s grassroots level programme in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng learners from nearby schools and some more ‘experienced’ juniors who compete on the US Kids and SA Kids circuits attend our GolfSixes League activation and they really enjoyed the whole experience,” said GolfRSA’s Michael Johnston.

“They played across a temporary course comprising six holes, roughly the size of a football pitch, and the format is Texas Scramble. They paired up in twos, and both players got to play every shot, but each time they chose who had the better position and then they would both hit from there.

“Since most of the kids have never played in a team competition, it was something novel and the feedback was very positive. The parents also got involved, doing scorecard duties, and they enjoyed the fact it didn’t take long at all.

“We loved seeing the kids’ faces light up when they all received medals for participating and the interaction between all the kids after the competition was great. It was encouraging to hear the positive feedback and to know that we’ve won a lot of new fans for golf.”

GAME-CHANGER

See GolfSixes take to the course in Gauteng.

Gallery below

GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn said the GolfSixes League initiative started as a small pilot project in 2017 in the United Kingdom but has since evolved into a game-changer.

“As new young golfers, parents and clubs saw the value of the fun, team-based format, GolfSixes League has taken flight,” said Hepburn. “Last year the GolfSixes League enjoyed tremendous success in the United Kingdom with junior membership figures soaring at the 542 participating golf clubs across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

“It proved equally popular when it launched in Belgium, Germany, Holland, Poland, Spain and Switzerland, and we were very excited when The R&A approached us to roll out GolfSixes League in Africa alongside Morocco. We decided to start our GolfSixes League with a series of activation days this year to introduce the concept and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The next step will be to set up the GolfSixes League with teams of six in 2024 at all golf clubs in South Africa.”

If your club would like to learn more about hosting GolfSixes League activation day, contact Michael Johnston at GolfRSA at michaeljohnston@golfrsa.co.za.

THEY SAID IT...

The GolfSixes event at Modderfontein GC proved to be a hit with all those involved.

THEy said it

The GolfSixes event at Modderfontein GC proved to be a hit with all those involved.

“I loved the tournament. It was a lot of fun playing with my friends and I really liked working with my teammate; we worked really well together”
– Ben Bester

“GolfSixes League is a game-changer, like T20 cricket for golf. The format is excellent and seeing young juniors interact in teams is fantastic. They had so much fun that they didn’t even realise the important things they were learning, like course management, working as a team and honing their skills”
– Conrad Bester

“Our members had such an enjoyable day out on the golf course, and they were thrilled with receiving a player pack and snacks on arrival, and very proud to receive a medal for participation after their game”
– Frans Molepo, SAGDB coach – Tembisa

TYRONE WINFIELD/GOLFRSA