Two Stellenbosch University (SU) golfers recently captained the Boland Golf teams at the South African Women’s 72 hole Team Championships. Crystal Beukes captained the A-team, with Anita Chen leading the B-team in the three-day tournament at the Reading Country Club in Johannesburg in May.
This is according to Karen Swart, Maties sports manager.
“It was an absolute honour playing with my girls and being there to lead them,” says Crystal Beukes, Maties golfer who captained the Boland Golf A-team at the South African Women’s 72 hole Team Championships. Beukes is pictured with her fellow team members, Alessia Goussard (left), their manager Maria Kriton (middle left) and Lee-Ann van der Merwe (right). PHOTO: Supplied/Maties Sport
Honourable selection
According to Beukes, it was an honour to be selected as captain, despite sustaining a back injury in the second round of the tournament.
“I was really excited to be captain. I always have such an amazing time with the girls and being their captain made it even more special,” said Beukes. “I was happy to still be able to play the fourth round for my team […] despite my aching back.”
The Boland A-team placed eighth in the Swiss Trophy division, with the Boland B-team placing seventh in the Challenge Trophy division.
An underappreciated sport
After the tournament, which was hosted between 20 May and 22 May, SMF News spoke to Chen about increasing awareness and appreciation for golf on campus.
“I have been trying to get [golf] to be more visible on campus […] It would be great if it was more well-known and accessible to everyone, but people don’t really view it as a sport,” said Chen.
According to Chen, she started a golf team at the Huis ten Bosch residence in April to create more appreciation for the sport. Working with Swart, who is also the residence head of Huis ten Bosch, they have 21 residents interested in partaking in friendly competition next term, said Chen.
A golf team has been started at Huis ten Bosch residence to increase appreciation for the sport on the Stellenbosch University campus. This is according to Anita Chen, captain of the Boland B-team at the South African Women’s 72 hole Team Championships. PHOTO: Amy Lindstrom
“We’ll go to the range, go to play a few holes […] even putt-putt, depending on the budget,” said Chen.
“Last year, we had a campus golf competition with eight teams, so we would definitely like to do something like that again next term,” said Swart.
Achieving prestige
According to Swart, many Maties golfers take part in esteemed tournaments despite having a relatively small team of only 12 men and eight women.
“We have two golfers that are going to Scotland to represent [SU] at the Boyd Quaich Memorial Tournament, which is considered one of the most prestigious events in the university golfing calendar,” said Swart.
Maties golf has a high performance focus because of a lack of facilities at Stellenbosch University. This is according to Karen Swart, Maties sports manager. “Our golfers are members at the Stellenbosch Golf Club and they drive to Devonvale to practice,” says Swart. PHOTO: Amy Lindstrom