19th May 2011

Craig Haverly and Renee Botha, who recently relocated to St Francis from Britain, are giving up an hour of their time each week to teach enthusiastic Sea Vista children how to play golf at the Talhado Children’s Haven. “Golf has provided opportunities and employment for many people living in and around St Francis Bay and it therefore makes sense to introduce Sea Vista children to the sport.  We felt that we could certainly help with this,” said Renee.  “We are here to make St Francis our home and we’d like to feel we are doing something positive for the community around us too.”

Fortunately Renee still speaks fluent Afrikaans despite the 28 years she lived in Britain, which helps a lot organising the children!  With the help of young volunteer Basil Coenraad, a local golfer who plays off a six handicap, they soon had the first coaching session underway, allocating the enthusiastic younger children the task of ball collecting.

All three coaches were amazed at the natural skill some of the boys displayed. “There is at least one little Tiger Woods in the making amongst this group,” said Craig. “And it’s clear we are going to need many more balls, clubs and some plastic clubs for the smaller children to practice with as everyone here wants to have a go,” added Renee.

The golf coaching hour is one of the Talhado Children’s Haven initiatives to provide constructive and educational  activity for the children in their school after-care programme and takes place each Thursday at 15:00.

Anyone willing to assist with coaching or providing old clubs, golf balls and children’s golf clubs should call school secretary Chamel Malgas on 042 294 1563 or Renee Botha on 0796232916.