By Tokologo Lekoma
As we close out Women’s Month and reflect on the celebratory aspects afforded to us, the Belmont Golf Club hosted their Ladies Affair Golf Awareness Programme aimed at helping more women join and feel confident in the sport. Generally a male-dominanted sport, the country club is ushering a new wave of players to revel in all that golf has to offer. With a large turn out of women on Saturday, 23rd August 2025, it was evident that many, if given the correct opportunities, are more than willing to try new things.
Welcomed by guest speaker and instructor, Graeme Whale, the women were split into two separate groups for the day. “I help people to get into golf, whether it’s young, old, male, female. Golf is just a lifestyle choice for me. Is it athletic or is it exercise? It’s a bit of both,” he said. The programme was designed to introduce and teach basic stances, club gripping techniques, correct ball positioning and how to hit the ball. Which made it a digestible lesson for all beginners to follow along. “It’s probably the only sport in the world where ‘good’ players can play with ‘bad’ players because of the handicapping system.”
Graeme encouraged that all people, especially women should feel confident in their ability to play because golf accommodates various skill ranges. “So, you don’t have to be the best player to play the best golf,” he said. Pointing to the beginning of the golf course behind him, Whale said, “If you were playing today, we’d start off down this way. You’d walk up to the top of that hill, playing each hole, all the way down again. So, it’s definitely exercise.” Pleased to see such a sizable turn out, Whale explained that as the women continue showing up to play with one another, they’d always have a place of comradery with one another. Which ultimately has many other benefits too. “The mere fact that you’ve got comrades in arms, you’re playing with your buddies, you’re playing with your friends, generally [means]there’s a good spirit, so your heart is warm,” he said.
Also in attendance, as guest speakers, were Sarah Baartman District Municipality Councillors Nomhle Gaga and Nomathamsanqa Koba. “Let me take this opportunity to thank you, first the Royal Fairways, for being part of this programme, and for distributing or donating pads to police stations,” Gaga said. Intended to aid female prisoners and rape victims who report their respective cases at police stations, Gaga and Koba believed the contribution would have a positive impact on many women’s lives. Golf is crucial since it is a fantastic approach to promote people’s wellness in the workplace because it diverts people from detrimental activities they would have otherwise been doing with their free time, according to Pumeza Tanga, District Municipality Tourism & Marketing Coordinator. Which ultimately leaves a positive lasting impact on these women’s lives.
Gaga had attended another event the day before, that honoured women in business. Where she felt elated seeing women uplift one another. “As the Sarah Baartman District Municipality, we really appreciate you guys for being part of the community. That is why we are celebrating you guys,” Gaga said. Both women agreed that golf was the key to economic, social and mental empowerment for women if used at full capacity. Gaga said that it is exciting to see more women than ever before taking up space in male-dominated sectors such as governance and business. Looking around the room, she felt it was a testament to the evolving times and said she couldn’t wait to see what else is in store for women in South Africa.
Women are the key to a society’s upleveling because they forge community-building initiatives and always stick together no matter what. Which is why golf bridges a gap between those who want a fun activity and those seeking connection in such a unique manner. Hopefully events similar to this one start popping up everywhere, and are not limited to special occasions like Women’s Month.
