Previous beneficiaries
Gersville Arnoldus
Gersh was the first participant in the initiative, being selected at age 14, with the Trust assisting him through to successfully completing his Diploma in Sports Management at Northlink College in 2014. The Trust then helped him get employment in the golf industry, with his first position at Erinvale Golf Club. He later applied for, and successfully obtained, a position at Arabella Golf Club in the Pro Shop, bringing the wheel full circle for him and the Trust. Gersh has since moved on to pursue other interests.
Chadley Davids
Chad, aged 14, was the second lad chosen from the Botriver Primary school to join the programme in 2008. With the assistance of the Trust, Chad graduated from Northlink College with a Sports Management Diploma, and then went on to add a Post Graduate certificate in Education, with focus on the subjects of Business Studies and Life Orientation, from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2015. This has enabled him to use the subjects and skills acquired in both his sports admin and teaching studies to enter the teaching profession.
His first post was ironically a temporary assignment at his Alma mater, Botriver Primary. During his 6 months of employ he initiated the latest search for recipients, by working with over 40 eager young girls and boys who wished to try their hand at golf. Chad whittled these down to 12, who are now receiving coaching at Arabella. His enthusiasm to give back to the Trust was much appreciated, and two lucky learners will benefit from his input come end of October.
Chad now plays off a 10 handicap, and is a past winner of the Club Matchplay title. In addition, he has done the perfect flook, holing out for one at the Seventh at Arabella. He now teaches at Elnor Primary school in Elsies River, being allocated the Grade 5 Afrikaans stream at the school.
Ruwaan Syms
The diminutive Ruwaan joined the programme at age 15 and went on to acquire a Diploma in Personal Training from Northlink College in 2015. His dream is to be involved with a sports team as a trainer and masseur. He is currently assisting residents on the Arabella Estate with their own personal training programmes, and has now been appointed by The Arabella Hotel to assist in the Spa with sports massaging.
Ruwaan plays off a 9 handicap, and has come close, on 3 occasions, to winning a club title.
Gino Meyer
Gino, now aged 21, joined the programme in 2012. He matriculated in 2016, and was assisted with a year of discovery on the journey of golf, with the aim of making a career in the game.
The programme included an intense project of coaching, skills development, physical and psychological enablement and mentoring.
Gino currently plays off a 5 handicap, and has the distinction of 2 holes in one – the first at Pinnacle Point, and then astoundingly 2 weeks later at the 5th at Arabella. Gino is currently pursuing his own interests.