| Dear Members and Friends, |
| In this newsletter: inspiring journeys, international achievements, and how we continue pushing the boundaries of modern yet uncomplicated coaching. These stories remind us why golf truly is for everyone – and how the game constantly reflects the resilience of the human spirit. I have to add – only having been away for two weeks it was amazing to see how fast things are developing in terms of SA Open preperations! |
| A 12-year-old boy, born blind, had one eye saved by doctors at just a few weeks old. Today, he is already playing golf with enthusiasm and promise.
A former top ballet dancer, told after a massive stroke that he’d never walk or talk again, not only performed a dance routine two years later but is also now enjoying golf – and I can understand his speech just fine.
I’ll share more about these remarkable people amongst others, in future newsletters. |
| Garrett at the World Champs |
| Our own visually impaired member, Prof. Garrett Slattery, represented us and South Africa at the 2025 ISPS Handa Canadian Open and IBGA World Blind Golf Championships at a beautiful course in Simcoe, Ontario, with me tagging along as coach and guide.
He played with his usual determination, and the warmth of our Canadian hosts was truly something to behold.
One moment stood out: Canadian blind golfer Joe Furber immediately asked me about my own macular eye condition from last year – even though I can hardly remember even telling him about it. His family’s story is extraordinary. Their mother is blind. Joe is totally blind. His brother Darcy, a former college golfer, has also gone totally blind, and a younger brother knows he’s following the same gradual path – all with the same condition. Yet their resilience is remarkable: Joe is guided by his sister whose eyesight is just fine, while her husband guides Darcy, who went on to win the B1 gross prize.
Another special highlight was receiving two hand-crafted trophies made of Canadian wood: one for the Canadian Open Men’s Overall Low Net (which included an 89 gross score), and one for the World Champs Men’s B2 Net Runner-Up. |
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| The South African team making our grand entrance! |
| This guiding business is hard work – one of the guide dogs taking a break while his player warms up ! |
| I recently coached an English lady remotely who faces a condition called retinitis pigmentosa, which may still lead her to total blindness. With modern technology and the knowledge I’ve gained from my mentors, she was able to understand her game far better – and went on to win three trophies which was also rewarding to witness. |
It was a bottle of Beyerskloof for Mike Adams, now a bottle of Ernie Els for
Terry Rowles |
| Staying at the cutting edge ….. I love learning more |
| After witnessing the spectacular Niagara Falls and crossing the Rainbow Bridge into the US, I travelled to Hudson National Golf Club to spend a day with one of these mentors, Terry Rowles, a Top-50 instructor who works alongside Hall of Fame coach Mike Adams who I spent time with in 2022. Terry’s openness and knowledge were extraordinary, and I’m excited to bring back new insights to benefit every level of golfer here at home.
Whether you’re chasing a personal best, playing socially, or overcoming life’s challenges, golf proves again and again that it truly is for everyone. My diary fills quickly, but I always keep a little space for players who are serious about making meaningful improvements.
See you at the club,
Erich |
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