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GolfRSA’s new programme will provide even more pathways into golf for players from less privileged backgrounds
GolfRSA launched the Tournament Support Programme in early 2025 to provide promising young golfers from underprivileged communities in South Africa with the resources and opportunities to develop their talent and overcome socio-economic barriers. This initiative aims to support rising stars by offering financial assistance, access to elite tournaments and a pathway to higher levels of competition.
One of the inductees of the launch programme is South African Golf Development Board rising star, Johndre Ludick from Eastern Province. The 18-year-old’s father Johnny describes the initiative as life-changing and says it has ‘taken the pressure off us’.
Such is the sense of relief, and appreciation, in the Ludick family household that they are able to tackle the remainder of 2025, and what lies ahead, with new confidence and focus.
‘GolfRSA’s Tournament Support Programme couldn’t have come at a better time for us,’ says Johnny. ‘It is providing Johndre with the opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.’
‘My game is improving because I know I have something to aspire to and I can set goals’
– Johndre Ludick
Ludick, a member of the GolfRSA National Squad since 2022, was one of the 28 golfers (14 women and 14 men, aged 16-23) to benefit from funds received from the National Lotteries Commission, the Department of Sport, Arts & Culture, and The R&A.
GolfRSA identified a total of 40 World Amateur Golf Ranking events – locally in South Africa and internationally around Africa – which will be distributed across the group.
Ludick has already benefited from the programme with playing opportunities on the 2025 GolfRSA SA Swing. He tied for fifth at the R&A Africa Amateur Championship, finished fourth at the GolfRSA International Amateur and 13th at the South African Stroke Play Championship, and reached the top 16 at the South African Amateur Championship.
‘I matriculated last year and graduated out of the SAGDB when I turned 18 in February, so at the moment all I’m doing is playing golf until I pick up my studies again next year,” he says.
‘The funding is a huge help. I can feel the difference it’s made being supported in this way. My game is improving because I know I have something to aspire to and I can set goals. I’m currently ranked No 3 in the Under-19s in South Africa and 21st in the Open Amateur Ranking. Those are both the highest rankings of my career so far!’
THE PROGRAMME EXPLAINED
The GolfRSA Tournament Support Programme assists amateur golfers in South Africa by providing opportunities for development and competition. It includes initiatives such as rankings, National Squad selection and structured tournaments for various age and skill levels.
WHO BENEFITS?
Twenty-eight emerging male and female golfers from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the talent and drive to succeed in golf were identified for the Tournament Support Programme’s Class of 2025.
These players, who compete in the junior and open amateur divisions, have been given starts in selected official world golf ranking tournaments to which they previously would not have had access to. They also receive structured high performance support in to improve their game and develop their skills.
Ludick knows there are areas in his game which he can work on to reach even higher. ‘I am spending a lot of time on improving my irons. The more greens you hit, the more chances you get of making birdies,’ he says.
The immediate future will see Ludick spend two weeks in the UK with the GolfRSA National Squad, where he will tee it up at the Scottish Men’s Stroke Play Championship at North Berthwick and get the chance to play on the Old Course at the prestigious Links Trophy at St Andrews. He has also been selected for the SA team to compete at the All Africa Junior Teams Championship in Tunisia.
‘It’s all a dream come true, I’m still pinching myself. I’m so grateful to the Tournament Support Programme. It has given me the opportunity to play at the big tournaments that otherwise I might not have been able to experience.’
ERNEST BLIGNAULT/GOLFRSA
