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The Ghana Golf Association (GGA) has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing budding junior golfing talents by presenting a range of equipment to clubs with active junior programmes.
The ceremony, held in Accra on Thursday, December 19, 2024, saw the distribution of junior golf sets, practice balls, SNAG equipment, gloves, and socks to 10 clubs across the country.
Speaking at the event, Rene Gameli-Kwame, Chairman of the Junior Golf Development Programme (JDP) of the GGA, highlighted the significance of the donation. “These items, including SNAG equipment, are designed for beginner golfers who may not yet feel confident using regular golf clubs. This support aims to bring potential future stars as young as two years old into the game,” he said.
The beneficiary clubs included Achimota, Bok Nam Kim, Benso, Celebrity, Damang, Pra River, Royal Golf Club, Kumasi (RGCK), Tarkwa, Tafo, and Obuasi.
In addition to grassroots development, the GGA provided custom-fitted Mizuno JPX 923 Irons and Wedges to six high-performance juniors: Kingsley Afful, Jacob Adongo, Rabbi Kofi Abuga, Michael Nyarko, David Keteku, and Wendy Gyan Oti. Mr Gameli-Kwame noted that the customised clubs were a response to challenges faced during international competitions.
“One of the issues identified during our team’s recent participation in South Africa was the lack of professional-grade equipment. These Mizuno clubs are tailored to enhance their performance and elevate their game,” he enumerated.
Mr. Gameli-Kwame also announced that four of the high-performance players have been registered for consideration scholarship programmes to pursue further golfing development in the United States. “The long-term objective is to get these juniors to play on the international stage, secure scholarships, and master the game. One day, we hope to see them performing on the international stage as professional golfers or senior amateurs,” he added.
The Chairman of the Junior Golf Development Programme (JDP) appealed to parents and golfers to involve children in the sport, especially now that the necessary equipment is readily available.
“We have the golf balls, clubs, and SNAG equipment. Parents may not have to invest in equipment; they just need to bring their kids to the clubs. Additionally, we’re training coaches to better support the children,” he stated.
The GGA was full of praise and credited The R&A and its development partners for their continuous support to the development and growth of the sports in Ghana.
The support of Golf Trust, Wilson Golf, and Mizuno were also acknowledged. The R&A, in particular, donated over 15,000 golf balls and junior golf sets to support the programme.
Mr. Gameli-Kwame concluded with optimism, stating, “We expect this initiative to lead to increased junior participation, improved skills, and ultimately, a stronger foundation for Ghanaian golf.
