While there are many schools that offer golf as an extra sporting activity, these learners usually pay private coaches to coach them. In contrast, Curro is the only school (or group of schools) that focuses on golf as part of a structured extra mural programme with appointed PGA professionals to manage the coaching.
According to Lawrence Collen, one of the PGA professionals involved with Curro Golf, South Africa currently has nine players in the Top 100 in the world. 'Through our development of the Curro Golf programme we seek to grow South African golf to whole new levels,' adds Collen.
The national coach for Women's Golf South Africa, Val Holland, who is also involved with the Curro Golf programme, says school golf in South Africa is blooming: 'School golf in South Africa has undoubtedly increased considerably over the past years. The exciting launch of golf in all Curro schools will no doubt produce future stars in the making and contribute to the growth in South African golf.'
Aiming to be synonymous with junior golf in South Africa, Curro also provides opportunities for boys and girls to play against the top juniors in the world. In March 2014 this group of private schools became the naming sponsor of a world event, the Curro South African Juniors International golf tournament (part of the World Junior Golf Tournament Series), giving Curro learners the extra benefit of qualifying for this tournament.
'The goal of the Curro SA Juniors International, as well as the Curro Golf programme,' says Curro's marketing manager, Eddie Conradie, 'is not just to produce golfing champions, but rather to assist juniors in becoming well-rounded, well-educated leaders of tomorrow, whether they're on or off the golf course.'
Conradie adds: 'At Curro we believe that golf is the ultimate life tool, teaching our learners self-discipline, etiquette and patience.'
The benefits of golf seem quite clear to the young players too. Ivanna Samu, 15 years old, from Curro Aurora, was named the WGSA 2013 Junior Golfer of the Year and says the following: 'Golf is a synonym for life, it's the amount of hard work, determination and perseverance you have to succeed and the sacrifices you are willing to make in order to achieve your goals and reach your dreams.'
Her brother, Julian Samu, says: 'Golf builds character. It is a test of patience and skill, mental ability and enduring concentration. That little white ball you hit around for five hours teaches you life lessons with every shot you play.'
To further boost the appeal of the sport for the young and tech savvy, Curro designed their own smartphone app that allows all Curro learners to enter regular scores to compete against other Curro learners across South Africa without playing a round with them on an actual course. Each round receives 'order of merit' points and the top 20 Curro learners will play in a Curro Elite tournament at the end of the year.
For more, go to www.currogolf.com.
