Nelson Direng
5 November 2009
Professional Golfers Association (PGA) head coach, David Johnson, visited Botswana last week to conduct seminars.
The expert was appointed by Royal and Ancient (RA) Golf Club of St Andrews as a consultant to Botswana. The RA is one of the most prestigious golfing clubs in the world. Johnson came to Botswana on October 26 and left on November 2.
During his stay, he visited the tourism board and the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) for seminars. He discussed the ways in which golf in Botswana can be a possible tourism tool. He said people from other countries could be interested in coming to play golf in Botswana if there was infrastructure. "Before getting the infrastructure, we have to pull more youth to the game as this will ensure an increase in the number of competitors. With a lot of people playing the sport, the better the facilities will become," he said.
Before his departure, Johnson drilled golf trainers in Botswana for two days in Phakalane. He said that from the course, he realised the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities in Botswana golf. He said the main strength Botswana has over many countries is dedicated management. "The BGU - Botswana Golf Union - is a team of dedicated people who are doing all they can to ensure the growth of golf in Botswana," he said. Johnson applauded the BGU for engaging youth and women in their development programmes. He said the youth are the future of golf and thus play an important role in its development.
Johnson however said BGU together with the government should consider taking golf to schools. He said that golf should not be seen to be a game for rich old men but should be treated as a sport with no boundaries. "This could also be a way of keeping children away from the streets and negative practices," he said.
Johnson encouraged the community to ensure the growth of golf. "To ensure this, companies have to be willing and the media has to help expose it," he said.
Andrew Hall, president of BGU said Johnson came at the right time as he diagnosed many problems in local golf. "His extensive knowledge helped move Botswana golf in the right direction," he stressed. "We are now prepared to pick up from where he left and continue improving golf in the country," he added. Johnson donated golf clubs and other equipment to BGU.
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