During a recent interview Maria Kirton said: “Golf is my passion or more like a drug...I want to know more, do more and be more!”
These words summarise this dynamic woman who was recently appointed as the new Director of Golf of the Boland Golf Union.
After joining the Paarl Golf Club in 2015 she quickly got involved with the administration of the game and served on the Boland Ladies Golf Union Committee since 2019.
She was elected as President of Boland Ladies Golf for the 2022/23 term and also served on three committees of Women’s Golf South Africa (WGSA) and represent the Boland Union at WGSA.
After the successful amalgamation of the Boland Golf Union with Boland Women's Golf at the end of 2022 she was elected as the new President of the Boland Union.
Maria is a hands-on administrator and always strive to improve her knowledge of the game and the administration aspects of golf. She used the downtime during Covid19 and obtained her level 3 Rules of Golf. To practice what she learned, she refereed for Boland Ladies, BGU, WP, GolfRSA and the Standard Bank Pro-Am. She also got involved with Course Ratings after she was recruited by Steph Lotz. Rita Heroldt, Southern Cape Women's President, was instrumental in her training regarding course rating.
THE ROAD AHEAD
“When the former Director of Golf of the Boland Union Abrie Swanepoel vacated the position, it left a gap that needed to be filled to ensure continuity within the union. With my experience in corporate roles, it seemed fitting for me to step in temporarily and take the lead. Working closely with Elaine and Francesca, we ensured that the union maintained its operations seamlessly while we commenced the process of advertising for a Director of Golf.”
During my time as “care-taker” Director of Golf one of the most significant lessons I've learned is that regardless of your actions, there will always be a group of people who are content and another group who are discontent. It's impossible to please everyone, especially considering the diverse range of individuals we interact with in the Boland.”
Question:
What do you see as your main priorities as Golf Director?
“Ensuring the success of Boland Golf involves overseeing various key areas including administration, club support, golfer support, tournaments, and financial sustainability. Addressing financial concerns effectively can alleviate many challenges, enabling progress in development initiatives, providing assistance to clubs, and enhancing overall operations. One of the primary challenges is securing sponsorships, which remains a top priority. In the long run, our goal is to establish a support fund aimed at assisting Golf Clubs in alleviating financial strains.”
Question:
Tell us about your interaction and support from the Executive of the Boland Union.
“Bill Steyn, acting President, Marzanne van Lill, acting vice-President, and all the executives, including Hannelie Goosen, Shawn Adriaanse, John Williams, and Vossie van
Schalkwyk, have been notably supportive of my role thus far. They recognize and appreciate the passion and effort I bring to the role, which has further strengthened their support.”
Question:
And your support from the Boland Union staff?
“Both Elaine Thompson, the office administrator, and Francesca Bosman, the operations manager, have been incredibly supportive. Our teamwork is seamless, and we complement each other well in our respective roles at Boland Golf.”
Question:
League Golf – any new plans and initiatives?
“Numerous changes have been implemented to elevate the league, including the introduction of the UGA app (Unprofessional Golf Associations). This app aims to professionalize the league and provide readily accessible logs to all players, clubs, and members. The app can also serve as a valuable tool for team captains, providing player stats and performance insights. Additionally, clubs can utilize the app to analyse how specific holes are playing and gather valuable data at a club level.
Question:
Boland Tournaments – anything new in the pipe-line?
“We're currently examining various aspects of tournament organization to enhance the experience for both players and clubs involved. It's crucial to strike a balance that ensures the well-being and satisfaction of all parties involved. We welcome feedback from all stakeholders because only together, as a union, can we ensure that everyone is working towards building a great union.”
Question:
With so many clubs affiliated to the BGU, communication with all the clubs must be a challenge?
“Currently, one of our key challenges lies in effectively communicating with all our members. However, I'm confident that this challenge will soon be overcome, particularly with the forthcoming relaunch of our newsletter. This initiative will not only enable us to reconnect with our members but also provide a valuable platform for engaging potential sponsors. While social media has its reach, it only encompasses a fraction of our membership. A direct newsletter delivered to the inboxes of all 12 000 of our members promises to be far more beneficial for the union, clubs, members, and prospective sponsors alike. Watch this space….”
Question:
Any new plans and projects for junior golf and golf development?
“We're enhancing our partnership with SAGDB, clubs, and Target36, emphasizing access to player profiles for closely monitoring performance and preventing overlooking talent within the system. The Target36 app plays a pivotal role, offering players, parents, and coaches’ visibility into progress and areas of improvement. Additionally, we've launched an under-13 future squad, led by Anna Becker-Frankel at Devonvale
Golf & Wine Estate. While the girls' program has been a part of Boland Ladies Golf for a few years, the boys' program was initiated just last year. This initiative is steadily growing and proving to be a worthwhile investment.
Moreover, we've introduced a new program, "Grow Boland Golf," recently launched at Worcester. This program aims to further cultivate talent and expand participation in the sport across the region.”
Question:
How do you manage to keep up with the pace and work-load?
“Our days are filled with early mornings and late nights, sometimes 7 days a week, as we strive to bring everything up to the standards we desire.”
Question:
With your busy schedule - do you find the time to play a round of golf now and then?
“Currently, my primary focus is on ensuring that everything within the union is organized and up to the standards we all strive for. Although I occasionally have the opportunity to play a game here and there, my mind remains predominantly occupied with union matters and it does not help that the course is akin to my office.”
Question: How to contact you?
“I prefer face-to-face meetings as it ensures clear communication without the risk of misunderstandings. I can be reached via email at DoG@bolandgolf.co.za or office@bolandgolf.co.za. Additionally, I can be contacted directly on the Boland Golf phone number: 079 494 090
