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Golf opens door to education for young South African golfer

South African amateur golfer Thami Ngobeni has emerged as the latest success of the South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB), which since 1999 has used golf to uplift children in disadvantaged communities.

The 17-year-old Ngobeni – who has been a member of the SAGDB for the past seven years and who lives on Riverside Farm, which borders the famed Leopard Creek Country Club, the home of the Alfred Dunhill Championship – won twice on the GolfRSA provincial junior circuit when he triumphed in the Middelburg Junior Open and the Mbombela Junior Open.

And his golf success has now helped him achieve exactly what the SAGDB sets out to do, securing him a full scholarship to one of the Curro private schools in South Africa.

“We’re extremely proud of Thami and what he’s achieved,” said Edwin Compton, the Development Manager for the SAGDB in Mpumalanga.

“He represents our overall focus at the SAGDB to not just improve the golf these children play, but to improve their lives. The discipline of golf teaches them about many aspects of life, helping them to excel not only as golfers but as human beings.”

Part of the funding for the SAGDB comes through grants from the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation, which is the recipient of all charitable funds raised by the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.