SARAO Desert Golf Challenge celebrates the launch of Astro-Tourism Strategy in the Northern Cape
On Friday, 27 September 2024, the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), in collaboration with the SKA Observatory (SKAO) hosted the inaugural Desert Golf Challenge in Carnarvon, Northern Cape, coinciding with the launch of a groundbreaking Astro-Tourism Strategy.
The Strategy, launched by the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille during the World Tourism Day celebrations in Carnarvon, is aimed at transforming the region into South Africa’s premier destination for stargazing and astronomical exploration. This initiative beautifully marries the breathtaking landscapes of the Karoo with the wonders of science, promising to draw both tourists and astronomy enthusiasts from across the globe.
The SARAO Desert Golf Challenge served as a key event in a series of activities celebrating Tourism Month during September in South Africa. Participants enjoyed a friendly yet competitive atmosphere, with local golfers coming together to support this exciting new venture. Minister De Lille joined 36 players in mixed teams which combined experienced players with newbies to the game, teeing off to end up with a few teams winning prizes celebrating their good scores on the green. Not even the fierce Northern Cape sun and a few surprise visitors in the form of curious wildlife on the golf course could dampen the players’ spirits!
A highlight of the event was the handover of golf equipment sponsored by the Louis Oosthuizen Junior Golf Academy, represented by Val Holland, the ladies’ national coach and resident golf coach at the Fancourt Golf Academy. The equipment was presented to the Clive Korope Junior Golf Development Academy, which plays a pivotal role in establishing the SARAO Youth Golf Development Programme. This collaboration emphasizes the importance of nurturing young talent in both golf and astronomy, fostering skills that can lead to future opportunities in these fields.
“We thank the Louis Oosthuizen Foundation for investing in these young people. We can get our own young Tiger Woods out of these youngsters. Thank you for your contribution to our youngsters and also teaching them discipline because golf is a very disciplined sport,” said Minister De Lille.
The SARAO Youth Golf Development Programme kicked off in December 2023 and thus far 11 primary and high school scholars have joined with the prospect of eight new recruits. The pilot project at the Carnarvon Golf Club has proven to be a huge success and the aim is for SARAO to roll out the programme to all six oil green golf courses in the Northern Cape over the next two years, with the intention to build a strong and vibrant junior golf participation in the region.
Pontsho Maruping, SARAO Managing Director, said that golf in particular helps young people develop a wide range of skills, such as social, sport and discipline. “Young people, no matter where they come from who have the potential to excel at anything, should have the opportunity to show their abilities to excel at whatever it is. I really hope that as we roll out these programmes that we get to identify really good young athletes from these communities who will have an opportunity one day to showcase their skills globally and represent South Africa at the highest level,” said Maruping.
The newly launched Astro-Tourism Strategy aims to promote scientific advancement and sustainable tourism, highlighting the region’s unique natural resources. With its clear skies and minimal light pollution, the Karoo offers some of the best stargazing opportunities in the country, making it an ideal setting for astronomy-focused tourism.
Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Prof. Blade Nzimande, also made a quick visit to the Golf Challenge before joining Minister De Lille for the launch of the Astro-Tourism Strategy.
“As the Department of Science and Innovation we have always believed that building science infrastructure can make a bigger contribution to the development of local communities and one such contribution is in how science infrastructure can boost the local economies of rural towns, through what some call science tourism. It is for this reason that today’s event seeks to demonstrate the connection between Astronomy and Tourism, through the launch of our country’s Astro-Tourism Strategy,” said Minister Prof. Nzimande.
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