Mitchell’s Plain golfers have welcomed the planting of 15 new trees on Portland sports field.
Golfer Mark Andrews, from Strandfontein, said nature was part of golf and trees added to the aesthetics of their environment.
“We’re all becoming tree-huggers. Nobody is going to take these trees from here,” he said.
Mr Andrews learned to play golf about 20 years ago on the sports field, which is mostly used for soccer.
Golfers use the field on Hazeldene Avenue to practise, socialise and spot talent.
Often they are invited to play at other clubs but hope to host a ninehole tournament on Saturday December 19 on their putting grounds.
Danny Christians, councillor for Ward 81 allocated ward funds to have the 15 Araucaria columnaris trees planted on the sports field and another 15 planted at Mnandi pool last Wednesday.
Mr Christians allocated a tree to each of the golfers using the sports field.
“They will now take ownership of the tree. Take care of it and ensure no one harms it or attempts to steal it,” he said.
In September, Mr Christians reported cases of malicious damage to property after bark was stripped from trees planted almost four-decade ago, in Morgenster Road, Westridge.
Portland Golf Club execo board member Hilary Dawson said that about 20 years ago the police would chase them off the field.
“But we persisted and they started to realise that we’re an asset because our presence would ward off crime, gangsters and abuse substances here.
“We foresee great things here. We’d like to have a community project, get the kids involved and, in time have a proper academy flowing from here. When the golfers are here, there is no crime.”
There is a 15-hole course on the field, but the golfers would like to lay out a new nine-hole course.
