Ashleigh Inspires KZN Teen

Provincial Golf Profile: KZNLGA

Women’s golf
is taking off like never before in South Africa and over the past few
years, young women have enthusiastically taken to the sport. This month, gsport
launches a 12-part series which focuses on the state of provincial women’s golf
and profiles some of the country’s talented golfers who epitomize the growth
and development of the women’s game.

It’s a big
year for women’s golf in KwaZulu Natal. The KZN Ladies Golf Association has
been given the honour of hosting the Women’s Golf South Africa (WGSA) Inter-Provincial
Championship at Umhlali Country Club from 14-19 September 2008.

Their main
focus currently is the popular KZN Championships and Junior Championships which
take place at Victoria Country Club from 20-22 April 2008.

The KZNLGA
has 2500 members, the majority of whom are over 50. There is currently a major
drive to encourage more young girls across all races to specialize in the golf,
and so far the Union’s efforts have been
bearing fruit.

KZNLGA
President Rose Powell told gsport that, while there is a strong focus on youth golf development, most of their young
golfers leave to take for academies in either America
or Gauteng, including Tiffany Avern-Taplin,
Melissa and Nicola Eaton, and Lea Anne Pace who have taken up scholarships in
the USA while Madelaine
Kleinhaus is attending an Academy in Gauteng.

The KZNLGA
is funded by their players’ levies of R80 per annum. Last year, the Association
received a R100 000 donation from Lotto which they spent solely on Development
Golf. They’re hoping for another grant this year.

You can make contact with the KZNLGA by calling the secretary Linda Nel (Mon & Thurs mornings) on (031) 202 9062 or 082 870 3621.

One of KZN’s
rising young stars is 14-year-old Monique Ramkisson, who lives in Park Rynie on
the KwaZulu Natal South
Coast.

14-year-old Monique Ramkisson is one of KZN’s up and coming female golfers who aims to some day play on the LPGA

Monique, who
was inspired by SA golf sensation, Ashleigh Simon, told gsport about her love
for golf and her dream to some day play on the LPGA.

Monique, when did you take up golf and what drew you
to the game?

I started
practicing golf at the beginning of 2007, but officially joined as a member in
March 2007. I enjoy all sports including
cricket. I finally chose golf since it is an individual sport where I can still
play even if I have nobody to play with.

What is your golf handicap?

Which is your home golf course?

Scottburgh
Golf Course

Which is your favourite golf course to play?

Royal Durban

What do you enjoy most about playing golf?

Golf is a
very challenging sport. There are so
many different formats to the game. You
meet new people all the time. You play
different courses

What have been some of your biggest golf
achievements?

Playing in
the Sanlam Cancer Challenge Final at San Lameer.

Winning the
C-Division Club Championship at Scottburgh in May 2007

Finishing
joint first in the Durban Regional Ladies Tournament at Royal Durban Golf
Course in the C-Division where I carded a nett 59

How do you deal with disappointment on the golf
course?

I accept
that everyone in golf will at some stage play a poor shot. I accept that I am no different and just try
to concentrate on one shot at a time

Who are some of the South African women golfers you
admire?

Ashleigh
Simon. I’ve had the opportunity to see her play at Umdoni Park Golf Club, and
this has inspired me to be like her.

What are some of things you do to constantly improve
your game?

I practice
often and really try to enjoy every practice session. I feel that the secret
lies in enjoying what you do.

What goals have you set yourself regarding golf in
2008?

I want to be
a single figure handicap by June 2008

Monique, whose golfing heroes include Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, aims to be a single figure handicap by June this year.

Who are your golf heroes and why?

Tiger Woods
– he is truly the greatest. Ernie Els – he is a great golfer, great personality
and he does a lot for junior golf. Prinavin Nelson – I am fortunate enough to
be good buddies with him. We often practice together and he inspires me to get
my game to the next level.

What is your advice to young girls who are keen to
take up golf?

Get to that
practice tee and hit balls. I know it is difficult in the beginning, persevere
and soon those balls will get airborne, when this happens, the fun begins.

What is your ultimate golf ambition?

I would like
to play professional golf on the LPGA.

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