North West’s Peet van Schalkwyk and Gauteng North’s Madeleine de Wet were elected as the new Presidents of The South African Golf Association (SAGA) and Women's Golf South Africa (WGSA) respectively in May.
Van Schalkwyk, who managed the South African team to a historic first Eisenhower Trophy triumph at the 2025 World Amateur Team Championships in Singapore, succeeds Henk Smith after serving four years as Junior Vice-President and Vice-President, while De Wet takes over from Susan Andrew following a distinguished three-year term as WGSA Vice-President.
Thinus Labuschagne from Limpopo was elected SAGA Vice-President after serving two years as Junior Vice-President, while WGSA welcomed Mpumalanga’s Petricia Buurman as its newly elected Vice-President.
Mpumalanga’s Coenie du Preez steps into the role of Junior Vice-President.
Van Schalkwyk assumes office exactly 50 years after competing in his first Inter-Provincial Tournament.
He represented North West from 1979 to 1998 and began managing the province’s premier team in 2000.
His administrative career started in 1995 and included terms as North West Golf Union Vice-President and President, while he has also served on the SAGA Election Committee since 2020.
“It is a tremendous honour to be entrusted with the leadership of The South African Golf Association,” Van Schalkwyk said.
“The game in South Africa continues to grow because of the strong partnerships between SAGA, Women's Golf South Africa and GolfRSA. Over the past decade, we have worked diligently to strengthen amateur golf, create opportunities for players and unions, and contribute meaningfully to the broader golf industry.
“I look forward to continuing that collaborative approach as we work together to grow and advance the game at every level.”
PASSIONATE ABOUT GROWING THE GAME
De Wet brings more than a decade of golf administration experience to the role, having progressed through structures at Silver Lakes Golf Club, Gauteng North Golf Union and WGSA.
Her corporate background includes leadership and management roles across several listed organisations.
“It is a privilege to take on this role and continue serving women’s golf in South Africa,” she said. “We have seen encouraging growth in participation in recent years, particularly among women and girls, and I believe there is tremendous opportunity to build on that momentum.
“I look forward to working closely with GolfRSA and SAGA to continue creating pathways for young talent, strengthening our unions and ensuring that more players across the country have access to opportunities within the game.”
Labuschagne, a respected businessman and long-serving golf administrator, earned his PGA diploma in 2008 and began his service in amateur golf as Club Captain at Chrome Golf Club. He served as President of Limpopo Golf Union from 2017 and joined the SAGA executive in 2019.
He also managed the victorious South African teams at the 2025 Africa Region 5 Golf Tournament and the 2026 All-Africa Junior Team Championship in Kenya.
“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.
“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.”
PROUD OF GROWTH IN WOMEN'S GAME
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 Women's 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.”
IMAGE: Peet van Schalkwyk and Madeleine de Wet © GolfRSA