Sports Management students learnt to play golf from passionate professionals at Swing Fit Golf Academy in Paarl during CPUT’s recent Golf Development Day.
Juanita Stoop, Sports Management lecturer and the Day’s organiser, said the event was part of an initiative to give students an opportunity to be on a golf course and get golf lessons.
“Golf is an elite sport,” observed Stoop. “We’re trying to bridge the gap for students who were previously disadvantaged and bring them closer to golf.”
The students were taught how to drive, chip and putt as well as basic golf rules and etiquette.
She added that as Sports Management students are mainly exposed to soccer, rugby and cricket the department wants to make them aware of golf. “[The experience] is important, because as part of the Events Management (subject), the students have to organise a Golf Day for all CPUT students on the Rondebosch Golf Course in October.”
The second-year students had to volunteer their participation at the recent Golf Development Day and their names were included in a lucky draw.
The Sport and Culture Department funded the outing and the golf lessons, while the Marketing and Communication Department supplied them with branded T-shirts. The trainers were James Wade and Cornel Muller.
“The plan is to incorporate students from the Wellington Campus in the future,” Stoop said. “The plan is to hold the Development Day annually, or more often, depending on the availability of funds.”
Student Busisa Mngqushu said he enjoyed himself during the training and is satisfied that he knows the sport’s basics.
“It’s not as easy as it looks on TV,” explained Busisa. “The coaches were knowledgeable and always gave us clear instructions.”
LeAnne Eksteen, generally a cricket player, said the experience was an eye-opener.
“They made me swing with my right hand, but I did it better with my left hand as in cricket I bat left-handed,” said LeAnne.
