AFRIYEA Mentorship Program 2025 in Uganda

AFRIYEA Golf Academy is proud to introduce its Youth Golf Mentorship Program, a transformative initiative designed to connect aspiring young golfers in Uganda with mentors from around the world. This program seeks to bridge critical gaps in access to professional guidance, career support, and global exposure for Uganda’s youth,
while offering mentors a rewarding opportunity to shape the future of golf and young lives. Below, we present a detailed concept that outlines the program’s purpose, structure, benefits, and impact, crafted to attract mentors from all disciplines anddemonstrate the urgent need for their involvement.

Program Impact in Uganda

In Uganda, where over 70% of youth feel unprepared for careers due to limited mentorship, the AFRIYEA program addresses a critical gap. Only 10% of schools offer career guidance, making structured mentorship essential. Studies show mentored Ugandan vocational students had 27% higher labor market participation and 18% higher earnings, suggesting similar benefits for golfers in career and life skills development.

Our Mentors

Terry Mellish – England
Immediate Past-captain of Colchester Golf Club
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Kristian Kohn – Denmark
Green Up Tees
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Mark Marais – Ireland
Africa Golf Safari / Vumba
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Georgina Childs – England
PGA Professional Golfer and Business Development Manager at Golf One
Linkedin
Jason Dochney – USA
APA Golf Design
Website
Graeme Love – England
Director Accounts Golf
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Jim Ferguson – Ireland
Director, Turnkey Golf
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Dr. Michael Ryan – UAE
Executive and Elite Athlete Performance Psychologist
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Renate Roeleveld
CEO of the Golf Course Association Europe (GCAE)
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Wieser Juergen – Austria
Inventor, Grip Caddie
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Richard Kaufman – England
Golf Commentator, Sky Sports / Sports Broadcaster
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Tony Dear – USA
Author/Journalist
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Clinton Norris – UAE
Troon Golf
Linkedin
David Crawley – Switzerland
PGA Professional
Golf Manager and Professional Company Golf And Lodge Switzerland
Website
Jorge Croda – USA
Croda Consulting
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Thomas Schier (TJ) – USA
CEO, SmashSwing Immersive
Linkedin
Mark Gundry – USA
Creator, Hole Life
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Scott Dannehl
Strategy and Business Optimization
Jennifer Mackinnon – Canada
Senior Associate Golf Professional
Cameron Ellis – Canada
CEO, Caddy Spike
Brad Gould – England
Managing Director, WoodhallSpa
Simon Holmes – England
Sky Sports
Monina Gilbey – Australia
Partner, Torgersengilbey
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Kate Torgersen – Australia
Partner, Torgersengilbey
website
Joseph McKnight – Ireland
Game Golf
Linkedin
Szewczuk Andrew – Canada
Fairmont
Linkedin
Adrian Engel – Australia
Motivation for Personal Growth
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Mike Lea – England
Trackman
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Dr. Peter Bolan – Ireland
Director, Golf Management Ulster University
Linkedin
Tony Pennock – England
Fore Get Me Not Golf
Leading authority on Points Golf memberships and owner of the original Flexible membership, Points4Golf
Website
Sarah Bennette
PGA Specialist Coach held the highly respected role at PGA Captain of UK and Ireland 2022, Director Women’s Golf Schools

PGA Fellow Professional
Director Sarah Bennett Golf Schools
Lexden Wood Instructor
Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach
PGA Honorary Member
PGA Captain 2022
Womens PGA Cup Captain 2022
WPGA Chair 2024/25

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Ian McDonald – Scotland
Co-founder/Director, Catch The Light
Throughout my professional career, I have been drawn to work that facilitates building community capacity and individual agency with a particular focus on the social and personal development of young adults, especially those identified as disengaged or hard to reach. My experience as a residential social worker, street worker, and senior manager with a local authority informed my passion, discipline, and desire to explore ways of learning that are expansive, exciting, experiential, and designed to support people to be the best versions of themselves In 2006, I co-founded Catch the Light Youth and Community Development to create and deliver innovative learning programs aimed at developing personal qualities and widening horizons for people lacking the confidence and self-esteem to achieve their life goals. Over my years of practice, I have developed a good understanding of the barriers that challenge the development of effective partnerships across professions and sectors. This knowledge, combined with a fundamental belief in the benefits of what can be achieved through positive partnership working, underpins my interest in promoting the idea that it takes a “village to raise a child,” and in that context, I see myself as one of the villagers here to give support to people on their life journey
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Why Join the program

By subscribing, mentors can make a lasting impact, helping young Ugandan golfers thrive in health, mindset, career and exposure. Your guidance can bridge gaps, inspire futures, and offer personal fulfillment through cultural exchange and global recognition. A great opportunity to build a legacy to be known for such a generational impact.

Warning, The Platform is still under development, this is meant to give you a sneak preview of the mentorship platform