Winner of the men’s category in the SA Deaf Open golf tournament, Charles Williams.
Image: Wesley Ford
Charles Williams, 31, from Capricorn won the South African Deaf Open golf tournament at the King David Golf Course in Mowbray last Wednesday, March 26.
The tournament was hosted by the South African Disabled Golf Association (SADGA), which is based at King David Golf Course.
Williams beat American Jay-Jay Botha in a nail-biting play-off in the three-day tournament from Monday March 24 to Wednesday March 26. Albie Louw finished in third place.
“I am feeling good, it was very challenging. I felt a lot of pressure, though when we came to the 18th and final hole, the people that stood there and supported me made me feel better,” he says.
Mr Williams attended the Mary Kihn School for deaf and hearing impaired pupils in Observatory and started playing golf when he was 15 years old.
He is now a golf coach for Mary Kihn School pupils where he mentors the next generation of up-and-coming hard-of-hearing or deaf golfers. “I am blessed that I am able to help them and share my passion for golf with them because when I was their age I did not have the opportunities that they are having now,” he says.
Mary Kihn School visits the King David Golf course weekly for their lessons.
Mary Kihn school teacher and golf coach, Desiree Smith, says: “This initiative, specifically aimed at developing golf skills in children with hearing impairments, aims not only to teach them techniques but also to build their self-confidence and strengthen their love for the sport.”
Ms Smith says Mr Williams is an amazing coach. “He has patience and good leadership skills and if any particular child has a problem, he will take them aside and help them.”
SADGA representative and tournament director, Lily Reich says the SA Deaf Open allows all the best deaf golfers in the country to display their skills. “Charles is really an idol, he has shown people what can be done, he is an incredible golfer,” she says.
The women’s category was won by Gail Klichowicz from Port Elizabeth Golf Club, with Zubenathi Kroti from King David Golf Club in second place and Liza Wright from Worcester in third place.
There was also Stabelford division, where points are based on performance at each role rather than the amount of strokes taken. Mark Maconochie from Magaliespark Country Club in Limpopo won, with Godfrey Baloyi from Tzaneen in second place and Sandile Shange from the Eastern Cape in third.
All the winner’s and runner’s up in the men’s, women’ s and stableford category at the SA Deaf Open golf tournament along with the organisers at the prize-giving ceremony.
Image: Wesley Ford