KDM has been a cornerstone for disabled golfers, providing a safe and accessible environment for skill development and rehabilitation.
The City has initiated a public participation process to gather input on the proposed redevelopment, encouraging stakeholders, including SADGA, to actively participate.
A petition to save KDM has garnered significant support, reflecting the community’s commitment to preserving this essential green space and its services.
The South African Disabled Golf Association (Sadga) is urging the Cape Town community to help protect King David Mowbray Golf Club (KDM), the home of disabled golf in the province.
The City of Cape Town has initiated a process for the proposed mixed-use development of the site, with the first public participation meeting on Wednesday 26 February. The redevelopment, which includes housing and commercial spaces, threatens a vital facility for disabled golfers.
“KDM is a hardworking economic asset with a proud 115-year history. It is a vital green lung for the city, but many forget it is also the home of disabled golf in South Africa,” said Lily Reich, Operations Manager at Sadga. “For decades, it has provided a safe and accessible space for golfers with disabilities to develop their skills, build confidence, and experience the joy of the game. Losing this facility would be a huge loss for Sadga and the disabled community in Cape Town.”
Pieter Verwey, Sadga Non-Executive Director, added: “
For years, KDM has provided a welcoming space for hundreds of disabled individuals, including physically impaired beginner players, enabling them to develop their skills and, in some cases, pursue professional careers. “Every year, I see the transformative power of the sport. The players find joy, camaraderie, and meaning on the greens,” Reich said. “For some children, this is the only sport they can play. Golf’s ability to serve as therapy being outside in the fresh air, hearing nature, and playing against yourself makes it unique.”
Sadga champions golf as a rehabilitative and developmental tool for children and young individuals with disabilities. As part of a structured youth programme, children from six different schools attend weekly sessions at KDM.
The programme also provides meals for children who stay beyond two hours or miss hostel meals due to late sessions. Beyond golf, Sadga offers career guidance for talented golfers who train at KDM daily, ensuring they have opportunities both on and off the course.
“We are anxious about the future of King David Mowbray. Relocating our activities is simply not an option,” Reich said. “One of the key reasons is accessibility.
KDM also creates professional competitive platforms for disabled golfers, elevating South Africa’s status in inclusive golf. Prestigious events such as the South African Deaf Open and SA Deaf Trials are hosted at KDM, as well as the Cape Town Disabled Golf Open, which has drawn roughly 60 golfers with disabilities annually.
KDM has led efforts to make golf courses accessible, installing a groundbreaking bunker mat project, the second of its kind worldwide which allows wheelchair users and disabled golfers to enter and exit bunkers with ease. The club has also introduced ramps, adapted offices, and a dedicated training room, cementing its role as the home of disabled golf in Cape Town.
The City of Cape Town has responded, with spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo, stating:
The City has not identified alternative locations for Sadga but states that all concerns will be taken into account when considering the proposed development.
Tyhalibongo explained that KDM’s site is one of the largest undeveloped City-owned parcels of land within Cape Town’s Urban Inner Core, making it strategically significant for mixed-use development, including affordable housing and commercial spaces. He added that the presence of two adjacent golf courses, KDM and Rondebosch, raises questions about optimal land use.
The City remains committed to a balanced approach, ensuring redevelopment aligns with legislation, studies, and public input. “We aim to achieve strategic reinvestment into essential services and infrastructure, economic benefits, diverse housing options, job creation, and revenue generation while considering community assets like KDM,” he said. As Sadga continues to fight for KDM’s future, Reich concluded: “We truly hope people see the value of King David Mowbray as a community asset and that it is preserved for generations to come.”
