Scots develop South African links

Scottish Golf Union hosts two of the Rainbow Nation’s top amateurs during exchange trip

The SGU has strengthened its ties with South Africa by hosting two talented teenage amateurs from the ‘Rainbow Nation’ for a two-week trip encompassing competition golf and a cultural exchange.

BROAD

Launched by SGU chairman Tom Craig in 2013, the programme was repeated this summer, with Craig Baba and Banele Mavuso arriving in Scotland at the start of July for a broad itinerary of activities.

The duo are a part of the South African Golf Development Board’s (SAGDB) programmes to provide access to golf for disadvantaged youth in South Africa.

Baba and Mavuso both played in the Cameron Corbett Vase event, as well as the Eastwood Quaich competition. They then enjoyed the thrill of teeing up in the Scottish Open Pro-Am at Gullane, partnered by top pros Justin Rose and Romain Wattel.
A visit to St Andrews concluded their trip as they watched the action from the Open and met a number of global stars, including compatriots Ernie Els and Louis Oosthuizen.

RELATIONS

The initiative has again been made possible thanks to the generosity of clients and friends of Craig Corporate and will build on the close relations developed with South African golf and specifically, the SAGDB, which hosted the SGU men’s squad over recent winters.

Since 2010, Scotland’s leading male amateurs have been able to hone their games during winter performance programmes in South Africa.

Among the highlights during the valuable work undertaken, Michael Stewart and Brian Soutar were crowned South African Amateur champions in 2011 and 2012 respectively, with Craigie Hill’s Daniel Young adding his name to the trophy earlier this year.

These opportunities have been made possible by the support of businessman Johann Rupert, through the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation established on the back of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship held in the St Andrews area annually.

Mr Rupert is also the founder and president of the SAGDB.

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