In the first of a new series of visits around the country, we stopped off at Boland Golf Union to discuss what their role is 

For many golfers, their provincial administrtors are invisible. It’s not the first thing you think about when you book a tee time, mark a card on Saturday, or celebrate a better-ball win with friends. Yet behind every official handicap, every credible club competition, and every pathway from junior golf to provincial colours lies a structured system quietly keeping the game fair, sustainable, and moving forward.

The Golf Mag engaged with Boland Golf Union Director of Golf, Maria Kirton, who explained the everyday ins and outs of a Golf Union, why it matters to every golfer – from the social weekend player to the aspiring provincial representative – and how its work is shaping the future of the game in the region.

Who is Maria Kirton, the Director of Golf at Boland Golf Union?

I may be small in stature, but I carry plenty of energy – just joking! I’m open about how I feel and I hold myself fully accountable for my mistakes. As a perfectionist, I set high standards for myself and can be quite hard on myself until I’ve corrected what went wrong and improved the outcome.

For someone who just enjoys a weekend round, what does a Golf Union actually do – and how does it affect their game?

Even if you only play a casual weekend round, the Union plays a far greater role in your golf than you might realise. Boland Golf Union provides the structure that makes your round official, fair and recognised. Through club affiliation aligned with GolfRSA, golfers can hold an official handicap, compete nationally and enter sanctioned tournaments. By overseeing handicap administration and competition standards, the Union ensures that when you tee it up on a Saturday, you can trust the integrity of the system behind your score. Beyond weekly play, it creates competitive opportunities and clear pathways to provincial representation, while investing in junior development and transformation initiatives to secure the game’s future.

What role does the Union play in keeping local golf clubs healthy, active and relevant?

That same framework keeps clubs healthy and relevant. Affiliation ensures consistent application of the World Handicap System and the Rules of Golf, building confidence and credibility across 37 member clubs. Inter-club leagues, provincial championships and Union-hosted events drive participation and visibility, while junior and growth initiatives help clubs attract new players and sustain membership for the long term.

How are Golf Unions helping to grow the game among juniors, women and players from new communities?

Growth must be structured to last. Schools’ leagues, development tournaments and progressive coaching platforms create defined pathways into competitive golf. The Target36 programme within SAGDB chapters identifies talent early and tracks measurable improvement, while the Boland Grow Golf Tour bridges the gap between coaching and formal competition. SNAG (Starting New at Golf) expands access at entry level, introducing the game in schools and community spaces. For women and girls, targeted visibility initiatives – reinforced by the signing of The R&A Women in Golf Charter in 2023 – reflect a deliberate commitment to increasing participation and leadership.

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How does being part of an affiliated club make the golf experience better than just playing casually or socially?

Affiliation elevates the individual experience by connecting golfers to a broader competitive and social network. It provides official handicaps, recognised competition and access to provincial structures. Golf becomes more than a casual pastime; it becomes part of an organised and credible sporting ecosystem.

Handicaps and fair play are central to the game. How does the Union help keep competitions fair and credible across clubs?

As the governing body for amateur golf in the region, Boland Golf ensures fairness through consistent handicap administration aligned with GolfRSA and the World Handicap System. The result is standardised competition across clubs, regardless of where a player competes.

Can you share a recent success story where Union support made a real difference to a club or community?

The Union’s development pathway illustrates its broader impact. By hosting structured junior events at member clubs, it increases activity, brings new families into club environments and creates clear progression into rankings and provincial selection – strengthening both players and host venues in the process.

What opportunities are there for golfers to get more involved, whether as players, volunteers or supporters of the game?

Opportunities to contribute extend beyond playing. League participation, union tournaments, a free Greenkeeping Programme, a forthcoming Referee Programme, dedicated rules education and a Caddie Upliftment Programme all create inclusive pathways into the operational and officiating side of the game.

With rising costs and changing lifestyles, how is the Union helping clubs stay sustainable for the next generation?

In a climate of rising costs and shifting lifestyles, sustainability remains central. Funding support for club development projects and dedicated communication forums – particularly for smaller clubs – provide practical assistance and strengthen regional collaboration.

What excites you most about the future of golf in your region and the Union’s role in it?

What excites Union leadership most is the strength of the development pathway now in place. Structured systems identify talent early, nurture it effectively and create progression into representative golf aligned with GolfRSA. Through collaboration between the Union, clubs and stakeholders, growth becomes intentional, measurable and sustainable, ensuring that the weekend game enjoyed today remains strong for generations to come.

BOLAND GOLF UNION | GOLFRSA | WORLD TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS | SUPPLIED