SAGA and WGSA usher in new leadership with Van Schalkwyk and De Wet

SAGA Thinus Labuschagne Peet van Schalkwyk Coenie du Preez “Junior golf remains incredibly close to my heart,” said Labuschagne.

“I am passionate about growing the game among young players and helping create opportunities for the next generation to develop their skills and compete at the highest level.”

Buurman, currently the Vice-President of Mpumalanga, has been involved in golf administration since 2014 and served in several roles within Mpumalanga golf before being elected President of Mpumalanga Women’s Golf in 2024. She managed the victorious Mpumalanga teams during their SA Women’s IPT triumphs in 2024 and 2026.

“I am deeply honoured by the confidence shown in me by the unions,” Buurman said. “I look forward to contributing towards the continued growth of women’s golf in South Africa and helping create opportunities for players of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy and succeed in the game.”

Mbombela Golf Club General Manager Du Preez has served Mpumalanga golf for nearly three decades, including two terms of three years as the Mpumalanga Golf Union President. During his tenure in golf administration, he championed career pathway opportunities for South African Golf Development Board graduates and managed 32 numerous provincial teams at Inter-Provincial level.

WGSA Petricia Buurman VP Madeleine de Wet President “I am proud to have the opportunity to serve SAGA in this new role,” Du Preez said.

“Golf has the power to change lives, and I look forward to helping strengthen development structures and supporting the continued growth of amateur golf across South Africa.”

GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn welcomed the outcome of the elections, which took place during the WGSA Annual General Meeting at Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate on 16 May and the SAGA Annual General Meeting at Country Club Johannesburg on 23 May.

“Henk Smith and Susan Andrew have both made an enormous contribution to amateur golf in South Africa through their leadership, dedication and unwavering support of GolfRSA,” Hepburn said.

“We are grateful for the role they played in strengthening relationships within the game and helping drive the continued growth of amateur golf in this country.

“We congratulate Peet, Madeleine, Thinus, Petricia and Coenie on their appointments. They have all done a huge amount for golf in our country already, and I look forward to working closely with them as team as we continue building a stronger and more inclusive future for South African golf together.”

Outgoing President Smith congratulated Van Schalkwyk on his appointment and expressed confidence in the association’s future.

“It has been an honour to serve SAGA and contribute to the continued growth and success of amateur golf in South Africa,” Smith said. “I would like to thank everyone who played a role during my term, and I have no doubt that the game will continue to thrive under Peet’s leadership.”

Andrew thanked the golfing community for its support during her tenure and said she was proud of the progress made in the women’s game.

“It has been a tremendous privilege to serve Womens Golf South Africa and to witness the continued growth of the women’s game during my tenure,” Andrew said. “I am incredibly proud of our players, unions, volunteers and partners, and I have every confidence that WGSA will continue to go from strength to strength under Madeleine’s leadership.”