GOLF DEVELOPMENT

OPENING

doors

The Jonsson Workwear Durban Open Legacy Programme is creating new pathways for young golfers in eThekwini​​​​​​​ 

BY MATTHEWS MFUBU

Fourteen golfers took another step in their development during a five-day bootcamp in eThekwini, an initiative relating to the Jonsson Workwear Durban Open and its drive to make golf more accessible to local communities.


The bootcamp gave participants structured coaching, time on the course, and a deeper understanding of the discipline, resilience and concentration required by the sport. It followed two junior clinics staged during the 2026 Jonsson Workwear Durban Open at Durban Country Club, where children were introduced to golf and those showing enthusiasm and potential were identified for further development.


The initiative was made possible through the support of Jonsson Workwear and eThekwini Municipality, working alongside the Sunshine Tour to turn a professional tournament into a platform for lasting community impact. Their contribution enabled the programme to move beyond a once-off introduction and offer young players meaningful coaching, golf equipment and a pathway to remain involved in the sport.

'Golf is a gateway to a lot of opportunities, and for the kids, this is just the beginning.'

Giving Young People Access

Golf is often perceived as an exclusive sport, with access to facilities, golf equipment and coaching limited by financial and geographical barriers. For children in communities without readily available golf infrastructure, opportunities to discover and pursue the game can be scarce.


Staging the clinics alongside a professional tournament gave the children a close-up view of the sport at its highest level. The bootcamp then carried that momentum forward, giving selected participants more time with coaches and the opportunity to develop their skills in a structured environment.


For eThekwini Municipality, the programme supports a broader effort to expand grassroots participation and bring sporting opportunities closer to communities. Zola Ndlovu of eThekwini described its purpose as 'levelling the playing field and changing the game of golf', noting that the sport remains privileged and that facilities are still concentrated mainly in urban areas.


The partnership with Jonsson Workwear has been equally important in extending the tournament's reach beyond the professional arena. As title sponsor, the company's support has helped create a legacy initiative that links the event directly to youth development and gives local children a practical opportunity to engage with golf.

Far-Reaching Lessons

Golf requires discipline, patience, concentration, resilience and personal responsibility, and the participants quickly recognised how those qualities shape performance.


Lusanda Zondi highlighted the importance of focus and consistency: 'Golf needs timing, concentration and everything in between. One mistake and the domino effect starts.' Samkelo Khumalo reflected on the need to adapt when things do not go according to plan: 'This is a game of problems. The end depends on your recovery.'


Together, their reflections show the value of introducing children to golf in a structured, supportive setting. Youngsters learn not only how to play, but also how to make decisions, manage themselves, persevere through setbacks and take responsibility for the next shot. These are qualities that can benefit them both on and off the course.

Building Pathways For Generation Next

Coaches play a central role in turning early enthusiasm into long-term development. Eric Mhlongo, one of the coaches involved in the programme, said: 'Golf is a gateway to a lot of opportunities, and for the kids, this is just the beginning.' His words underline the potential of grassroots programmes to open doors within and beyond competitive golf.


Some participants may one day pursue playing careers, while others could discover opportunities in coaching, education, sports administration, media, hospitality or other areas linked to the golf industry. By connecting young people with the game, local coaches and a professional tournament environment, the programme helps establish a foundation for participation, talent identification and career awareness.


The Jonsson Workwear Durban Open provides the platform, but the continued commitment of Jonsson Workwear and eThekwini Municipality gives the legacy work its reach. Together with the Sunshine Tour, the partners have helped provide the coaching, golf equipment and access needed to turn early interest into a more meaningful development opportunity.


Growing golf requires more than producing champions at professional level. It begins with giving children the chance to discover the sport and then providing the support needed to keep them involved. Through the Jonsson Workwear Durban Open – Development and Legacy Programme, Jonsson Workwear, eThekwini Municipality and the Sunshine Tour are helping to create those opportunities and build a more inclusive future for golf in South Africa.

Jonsson Workwear Durban Open – Development and Legacy Programme​​​​​​​

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