The significance and benefits of an event such as the forthcoming KeNako Schools Golf Festival, to be played from 17th to 19th May in George, bears further focus.Golf has traditionally been a game played by the elite few, since it is unaffordable to many.  However, it is a game that espouses excellent values, with aspects such as personal honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, accountability, determination and risk and reward being a fundamental part of the game of golf.  These values are critical aspects of daily life and if more people in the world lived by the rules and etiquette associated with the game of golf the world would no doubt be a better place.

This makes it all the more important to find ways to take the game of golf to the youth of South Africa.  To allow them to experience the thrill of hitting a golf ball and hopefully deciding to play the game for the rest of their lives.  This is another key aspect of golf – that it is a game that can be played from youth to old age.  Furthermore, because of the handicap system it allows people of different standards to play and compete together, a feature that is not shared by many, if any, other sports.

KeNako Academy decided to embark on a Schools Golf Festival that allows schools from all regions and all economic groups to enter and play in the tournament.  Whilst golf is the conduit, bringing young people together from different backgrounds and different cultures can play a critical role in the future of our Rainbow Nation.  They compete against each other but become new friends, gaining new respect for each other.  To allow this to happen, the KeNako Academy had to find a way to subsidise the teams, since the current major Schools Golf Festival played annually outside of Gauteng is unaffordable to many schools.  This is where Old Mutual came into the picture.  Old Mutual wishes to make a difference to the youth of South Africa, linked to education.  Old Mutual’s involvement in the KeNako Schools Golf Festival has allowed the KeNako Academy to put together an event that is not only very affordable but one that allows each participant the opportunity to learn something new about themselves, including their golf technique but perhaps more importantly about their minds and their bodies, since each participant will be attending a set of lectures and demonstrations by the various professionals working at the KeNako Academy.  Each and every participant will leave the KeNako Schools Golf Festival having learnt new Life Skills.

The boys and girls will be spending 4 days in George.  Besides being accompanied by a team manager, they are also accompanied by parents, grandparents and friends, all positive benefits for the George and Eden Districts.  In some instances families have not previously travelled to George and such an event helps to market the region to them

The KeNako Schools Golf Festival is an important event that will grow in size and stature in years to come.  It makes a difference in the lives of the players but also to George and the Eden District.

Point High School             :               left to right         –              Heinrich Oosthuizen,
Jason Scheepers, Cyril Botha, Christo Carstens

KeNako Glenwood House :         left to right         –              Aidan Boon, Garen Niemand,
Cameron Moralee, Caylum Boon