Board governance (in other words the management committee of a golf club) is fundamental to the success of non-profit sport organisation such as golf. The guidance of the board in setting direction, and ensuring the organisation maintains that direction in a fiscally responsible manner, is found in organisations ranging from national sport governing bodies to local sports clubs. In essence amateur golf in South Africa, with the exception of the employees of GolfRSA, by and large all other administrators representing amateur golf in South Africa, such as the South African Golf Association and other national representative bodies, the provincial unions and individual golf clubs carry out their functions in an unpaid capacity. In this regard the growth of golf in South Africa is inextricably intertwined with leadership and governance. Over the past few years there has been increasing research into understanding the mechanisms and impact of non-profit sport board performance. Much of this research is focusing on the need to understand the mechanisms that contribute to “teamwork” or dynamics of the volunteer board of directors, its members, and its leaders.
