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Star Search: Golf-Esteem

If you look
into Mandy Adamson’s eyes, you will see her passion for golf and her
determination to grow the game among all South Africans. Over the years, Mandy
has spent countless hours sharing her knowledge with both young and old, and
she continues to derive immense pleasure from seeing people enjoy the benefits
of her development programmes.

Mandy has
won over 25 tournaments as an amateur, 9 tournaments as a professional and
represented South Africa
on numerous occasions both as an amateur and professional. She has played
internationally in Europe for 10 years where
she learnt a great deal about the psychology and technical aspects of the game.

After qualifying as a WPGA Teaching Professional,
Mandy assisted the South African Ladies Golf Union with their development
program, teaching a modified golf game to children in both urban and rural
areas.

Her passion for the game and her commitment to the
development and promotion of the game of golf has seen Mandy write a book for
beginners covering all aspects of the game, from how to swing a golf club to
what to wear on the course etc. This
book titled "The Portable Pro – a Beginners Guide to Golf" has been selling
steadily since it was published in 2004.

In 2004 Mandy was recognized for her commitment to the
development of the game by being nominated and chosen as a finalist for the
Shoprite Checkers SABC2 Women of the Year Awards.

Mandy is admired around the world for her passion and
drive, and Vicki Aitken, the Ladies European Tour’s official sport
psychologist, is just one of her many fans.

"Mandy Adamson is one of the most talented players I
have ever had the privilege to work with.
What makes Mandy not just a great player but a great coach is her
capacity to think, reflect and apply her ideas to her own game.

"When you learn from Mandy you are not just going to a
mechanic but to someone who is able drive the car better than most – she’s been
the equivalent to a formula 1 driver in the world of golf. And you can be rest
assured that everything that Mandy gets you to do is something she has applied
and found effective in her own game."

Mandy Adamson Professional Golf has designed and
developed various coaching programs from junior level through to a corporate
entertainment and self empowerment level to promote the game she has loved
since a young age.

Mandy spoke to gsport about her interest in golf
development and the benefit of her Golf-Esteem
programmes as South
Africa continues to search for talented
young golf stars.

Mandy, how has life treated been treating you since
you slowed down on the playing side?

Things have
been just as exciting and challenging in other areas of the industry with many
different opportunities opening up here at home for me in SA.

You remain involved with the game on various levels,
what are your current projects?

I have been
focusing all of my time on introducing women and children to this great game
through the design of programmes to assist with people development.

Tell us about the Golf-Esteem programme, when and why did you launch it?

Golf-Esteem
was designed for the purpose of using golf and the psychology of golf as a tool
to motivate and inspire people to be all they can be in the game and outside of
the game and to empower themselves through self knowledge and positive
thinking.

The Golf-Esteam
junior programme runs on the basis of introducing children to the game
incorporating basic life skills, team activities and gross motor skills in a
fun colourful environment.

The junior
programme was launched into a few schools in 2006 and has been very successful
to date and will be part of the 2008 nation wide community development programme
attached to another project of mine which I am very excited about as it will
create opportunities for the communities to get involved not just the schools.

The Golf-Esteem
play to win programme has been used by the Limpopo Ladies provincial squad through
2007 with satisfactory results. All Golf-Esteem programmes will be part of my provincial,
private and corporate development projects in 2008.

How can someone benefit from Golf-Esteem?

The benefit
from Golf-Esteem is that it helps motivate people to live their passion and
believe more in who they are and achieve their goals through better self
knowledge and learn the technical skills of a great game at the same time.

How are participants for your Golf-Esteem programme chosen?

At present
the junior programme is decided by the parents who wish for their children to
participate. The 2008 community programme will be for everyone interested in
joining. The children who show potential will be selected for further
development on a merit basis. The Golf-esteem

What have been some of the highlights of this
programme?

There are so
many highlights when you work with children and see there progress.

One of the
children from grade 1 came to me at the end of a year long programme gave me a
big hug and told me that it was exciting learn to hit a golf ball and that he
had learnt so much more than that.

A little
child of 3 with hearing problems, a lot of anger and frustration started Golf-Esteam
this year, his mother came to tell me that he has developed so much more
confidence and his social interaction has greatly improved along with his
balance and motor skills. He even started to talk to, laugh with and have fun
with his team mate by the end of the programme.

My biggest
highlight has been the child who has cerebral palsy who couldn’t play sports
like to other kids his age and his mother wanted him to try golf but she didn’t
have the money to pay for the programme. I signed him up immediately and
through the programme he has managed to interact with the other kids, hit the ball
and discover a sport he can enjoy with in his own boundaries and still be
competitive with other children.

How is the program funded?

Currently it
is subsidized by the parents and myself. Sponsorship will be sought after for
the 2008 community project. The Limpopo Ladies golf union funds the squad
training play to win programme for their players.

What words of encouragement do you have for women
and young girls keen to take up golf?

Golf is a
game of self and can be enjoyed by everyone no matter what your sporting
abilities are. It is a great way to unwind and get away from it all.

What is the biggest challenge that new golfers face?

Gravity, it
seems to defy every effort the new golfer makes to get the ball airborne.

Seriously,
to give up trying to control the swing, there is more doing in not doing in
this game.

How should someone go about choosing the right golf
coach?

A coach can make
or break your golfing experience, find out as much as possible about the coach
you have in mind and set up a meeting to chat about the way they see the game,
how they teach and discuss your ideas on what you wish to achieve.

If you are
then comfortable with everything and understand what they are putting across to
you and you feel you will have fun learning form that coach then go for it!

How can we sincerely promote women’s golf in South Africa
and open it up to the masses?

Through
focusing on every aspect of the golf industry not just professional tournaments
and one or two talented individuals it will create awareness that the industry
is very broad and everyone from any background can in fact be part of the
golfing life style.

What is the best golf advice you’ve received?

To always
play from the inside out, let go of ego and be yourself.

How can someone get in touch to find out more about Golf-Esteem?

I can be
contacted via e-mail at [email protected]
or on 083 752 8105

Personally, what did you get out of playing golf?

Golf for me
as a youngster saved my life, it gave me a reason to get up everyday and to strive
to always better myself and achieve all that I could with what I was given. I
have learnt a great deal of life lessons through the game and have been able to
travel, see the world and experience many different things. Golf is more than
just a game it’s an opportunity to truly get to know yourself and what lies
within each of us as we face every new challenge it brings.

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