For over a century, King David Mowbray Golf Club (KDM) has played a pivotal role in Cape Town’s sporting and community landscape.
Known for its storied history and its commitment to inclusivity, the club now finds itself at the heart of a vigorous debate. Its future is unfortunately threatened. A public participation process about replacing the course with a large mixed-use development has begun.
The club’s facilities and enduring relationship with the South African Disabled Golf Association (SADGA) underline its importance as a centre for disabled golf, an area that is critical for the future of sport in the region.
A tradition of inclusion and adaptation
King David Mowbray has long been recognised not only as a historic sporting venue but also as a place that caters to players with disabilities.
The club’s long-standing partnership with SADGA has ensured that its facilities meet the specific needs of disabled golfers. The course has been adapted to include accessible toilets, flat playing areas for players with mobility impairments, and ramps for wheelchair users.
Adjustments during tournaments have also been implemented, such as modifying bunkers with mats, sandbags and additional layers to make them wheelchair accessible.
This pragmatic approach to inclusivity is vital in ensuring that disabled golfers continue to benefit from a world-class facility.
Moreover, KDM serves as an operational hub for SADGA, housing national equipment, tournament branding and storage facilities.
This integration of administrative and sporting functions means that the club plays an essential role in promoting disabled golf across the Western Cape and throughout South Africa.
Disabled golf as a community catalyst
Disabled golf extends far beyond the sport itself. For many participants, including both seasoned players and beginners, golf is a rehabilitative and developmental tool that offers more than just physical exercise. It provides an opportunity for personal growth, social interaction, and a sense of belonging.
Through its various programmes, KDM has become a conduit for enhancing the lives of hundreds of disabled players each week.
The club not only provides a venue for competitive events such as the Deaf Open and National Trials but also nurtures a grassroots movement that includes youth programmes.
These initiatives ensure that children from local schools are given regular access to golf, which helps in fostering discipline, teamwork and personal resilience.
A rising golfing star
Charles Williams’ story is one of the most inspiring success stories to emerge from King David Mowbray Golf Club and the SADGA.
Born with deafness caused by meningitis, Charlie’s journey to becoming a leading figure in South African golf has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Growing up in a challenging environment in Lavender Hill, Charlie found a sanctuary at King David Mowbray. It was here that he first picked up a golf club, and with the help of mentorships at the club, his talent began to shine.
Today, Charlie is in his second year of PGA studies, funded by the R&A. Once qualified, he will become South Africa’s first deaf PGA professional.
His rise through the ranks of golf has been remarkable – winning seven tournaments in 2024, including dominating the Deaf Gross division at the Tshwane Disabled Open, and receiving the Western Province Deaf Golfer of the Year award in 2019 , and achieving this recognition nearly every year since, with the exception of the Covid period.
But perhaps most notably, Charlie has become a coach, mentoring both deaf golfers and physically disabled individuals, passing on his passion for the game to the next generation.
Charlie’s success is a testament to the power of golf. For him, King David Mowbray wasn’t just where his golfing journey began – it was the foundation upon which he built a life that seemed impossible just a few years ago.
Community opposition to redevelopment plans
Despite its celebrated role, King David Mowbray faces significant challenges. Recent proposals by the City of Cape Town suggest redeveloping the club’s grounds into a mixed-use development, a move that has met with strong opposition from both the golfing and local communities. The proposed development is intended to address urgent housing needs, yet many argue that sacrificing KDM would result in the loss of an irreplaceable community asset.
As Lily Reich, operations Manager at SAGDA, explains: “King David Mowbray Golf Club has been instrumental in the growth and success of disabled golf in South Africa. For years, it has provided a welcoming, accessible home for our First Swing Program and All Abilities golfers, allowing players with disabilities to develop their skills, compete, and be part of a supportive community.
“Losing KDM would be a massive setback – not just for SADGA, but for the many golfers who have found a place to belong here. The financial repercussions of its closure would ripple through programs that use golf as a rehabilitative tool, impacting those who rely on it for physical, social and emotional development.
“While SADGA remains committed to its mission, KDM is more than just a venue – it is a cornerstone of inclusive golf in South Africa, and its loss would be deeply felt.
“Relocating SADGA’s operations from King David Mowbray would have significant challenges, particularly in securing a venue with the same accessibility and tailored facilities. Establishing a comparable setup elsewhere would come at a considerable financial cost, diverting resources from the programs that directly benefit golfers with disabilities.
“While SADGA will always work to ensure the future of disabled golf, the loss of KDM would create disruptions that could impact future events and initiatives designed to grow the game inclusively.”
There has been a massive response against the proposed mixed-use development, with a petition against it garnering over 2,000 signatures in its first three days.
Adding to the chorus of voices urging the preservation of KDM is golfing legend Dale Hayes, whose personal and professional experiences within the golfing community lend considerable weight to his concerns.
Hayes commented: “King David Mowbray is the home of disabled golf in South Africa and they do an incredible job supporting golfers with disabilities, including those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring they have access to the game and the opportunities it provides.
“They introduce individuals to golf who may not have the opportunity to participate in other sports. They do an exceptional job, not just for those who play at Mowbray, but extending their efforts across the entire country.
“There is no reason to ever consider closing down this golf club. It is a remarkable institution, and long may Kind David Mowbray last.”
Looking to the future
The sentiment among the local golfing community is clear: while addressing the city’s pressing housing needs is extremely important, it should not come at the expense of vital programmes that contribute significantly to the social and physical wellbeing of disabled individuals. Especially because other empty and unused parcels of land are available for development in Cape Town.
As Cape Town continues to evolve, KDM’s example of inclusivity serves as a reminder of the role that sports and community facilities play in building resilient, supportive networks. The future of disabled golf in the region will depend on the preservation of such institutions.
For the disabled golfing community, KDM is more than just a venue – it is a symbol of opportunity, growth and the enduring power of sport to bring people together.
