Hermannsburg Penrose Golf Academy - Preparing Scholars for the game of life

When Zola Mkumla, entrepreneur, philanthropist and avid golfer, first met PGA professionals Marc Alexander and Ryan Kimber, none of them could predict that this friendship, which revolved around the love and passion for the game of golf, would someday lead to the foundation of a golfing academy for scholars.

Mkumla recently made a significant investment into education by purchasing his alma mater, Hermannsburg School. Founded in 1856, Hermannsburg School, situated near Greytown in the KZN-Midlands, is the oldest independent co-educational boarding school in KwaZulu-Natal.

The school has an impeccable academic track record and offers all the usual South African school team and individual sports; but as a small school, its attention to the individual means that considerable effort is being poured into golf as a school sport - and this has seen the formation of the Hermannsburg Penrose Golf Academy.

Situated on the St Cathryn’s Country Golf Estate, a short distance from the school, the academy is run by Marc Alexander and Ryan Kimber. Scholars are transported to the academy for their coaching sessions in the school’s brand-new bus fleet, and all necessary golfing equipment is available at no cost, making this usually expensive sport, accessible to all.

“Golf is a unique sport which we believe will have a great impact on the scholars if they have the opportunity and exposure to it,” says Mkumla, he himself of humble beginnings, having grown up in a township near Pietermaritzburg. “We believe that golf can teach many life lessons, as well as give scholars an advantage when taking on the business world. This is why we have started the academy. I have great faith that Marc and Ryan will make this work.”

Marc Alexander is a class “AA” PGA professional from Johannesburg. Marc started his golf career at Eye of Africa in 2012; he completed his apprenticeship in two years with the PGA and went from an apprentice to the Head Professional. After five years at Eye of Africa he moved to a more demanding role as the Assistant Golf Director at The Country Club Johannesburg, whilst at CCJ he worked closely with the PGA and soon upgraded to a class “AA” Professional.

Ryan Kimber also started his career in golf at Eye of Africa. Ryan spent a little over two years there and then moved to The Els Club at Copperleaf as a shop assistant. He went on to complete his apprenticeship and became a full member of the PGA.

The mission of Hermannsburg Penrose Golf Academy is not only to teach its students the mechanics of the game of golf, but also to teach them golfing etiquette, networking skills and, most importantly, build their confidence to be able to go out into the game of life and play the ball, no matter where it lies.

“Am I any good at golf? Definitely not!” says Mkumla. “It punishes me all the time, but I absolutely love the game. And it keeps me humble.”

For further information, please contact: wecare@hmbschool.co.za