Southern Guards GC Expands Proven Youth Development Programme with Gauteng Launch Ahead of LIV Golf South Africa from 19-22 March 2025 at Steyn City.
Steyn City, South Africa – Building on more than 17 years of youth golf development in the Western Cape, Southern Guards GC, in partnership with LIV Golf, has expanded its established Southern Guards GC Academy development programme into Gauteng, broadening its national community impact.
Through a collaboration between the Southern Guards GC Foundation, the Steyn City Foundation and Element Golf Academy, the SGF Academy Development Programme will deliver a 12-month golf and life-skills development programme that will be delivered to 40 learners from three primary schools in Diepsloot.
The Gauteng-based, SGF Academy Development Programme, builds on a programme originally founded in Mossel Bay in 2009 by Southern Guards GC Captain, Louis Oosthuizen as the Louis57 Foundation. Since its inception, the initiative has evolved into the Southern Guards GC Foundation, the official charitable arm of Southern Guards GC, supporting multiple beneficiaries across education, nutrition, health and environmental programmes while using golf as a platform for youth empowerment.
Jointly funded by Southern Guards GC and LIV Golf, the newly launched SGF Academy Development Programme forms part of the legacy strategy linked to LIV Golf South Africa happening at Steyn City from 19-22 March 2026, ensuring the global event delivers sustainable impact beyond tournament week.
The SGF Academy Development Programme has been developed by Greg Bentley, Founder of Element Golf Academy at Steyn City, and introduces a structured development pathway combining professional golf coaching with life-skills education. Participants will be selected through the Steyn City Foundation, ensuring the programme reaches learners from communities with limited access to the sport.
“We’re building a game that’s more inclusive, more sustainable, and more impactful. This development programme is about investing in the future of golf and the next generation in South Africa. At LIV Golf, we believe the game can change lives far beyond the course, and the Southern Guard Academy Development Programme reflects our commitment to growing the game, creating opportunity for youth with passion and potential, and leaving a lasting legacy – especially here, in the communities surrounding our partners at Steyn City, the host of LIV Golf South Africa now and for many years to come,” says Scott O’Neil, CEO of LIV Golf.
The Southern Guards GC Foundation has grown from a regional golf development initiative into a respected social upliftment organisation focused on mentorship, education, and community support.
Petrie Cronje, General Manager of the Southern Guards GC Foundation, said “For the Southern Guards Foundation, this collaboration represents a defining moment in our mission to use golf as a force for good. This programme elevates the Foundation’s work to a national and international stage, reinforcing our belief that golf, when paired with purpose, can unlock opportunity, dignity, and hope for both boys and girls from our communities.”
Greg Bentley emphasised the importance of holistic youth development:
“Our approach focuses on developing well-rounded individuals, not just golfers. By combining structured coaching, mentorship, and life-skills training, we aim to build confidence, discipline and resilience that will support learners both on and off the course.”
The Steyn City Foundation will oversee learner selection and community integration of the programme.
“We are proud to partner on an initiative that creates meaningful opportunities for young people within our neighbouring communities. By selecting learners through our existing development programmes, we can ensure the initiative supports children holistically, complementing the work already being done within schools and families,” says Steven Louw, CEO of Steyn City.
Participants will receive coaching, equipment, nutritional support and mentorship, with the programme designed to broaden career pathways and reinforce the belief that circumstances do not define potential.
Beyond the participating learners, the initiative is expected to positively impact families, schools and the broader Diepsloot community, reinforcing sport’s role as a catalyst for education, social mobility and sustainable development.
As LIV Golf prepares to stage its first African event, the launch of the SGF Academy Development Programme ensures the tournament’s legacy will be measured not only through competition, but through lives impacted and opportunities created for future generations.
To follow the work of the Southern Guards GC Foundation and learn more about its community initiatives, visit: