Schwartzel honoured by PGA

Last updated: 11th February 2013

Former Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel is now an Honorary member of the PGA of South Africa.

As a form of recognition, Schwartzel was presented with a certificate and Honorary Member badge from Paul Marks, Chairman of the PGA of South Africa (PGA of SA).

When Schwartzel won the Masters tournament in 2011, he joined a a growing list of South Africans who have won a major tournament. He is the latest of seven South African golfers to achieve this.

"We're very proud of what Charl has achieved as a professional, but more importantly with the way he conducts himself on the international stage," said Marks

"He represents everything of the professionalism and excellence the PGA of SA strives to achieve in South African golf," added Marks.

Bobby Locke, Gary Player, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman and Louis Oosthuizen have all come before Schwartzel. Indications are that there will be many more like them in the future.

"We are blessed with a wealth of golf talent coming through at the moment and our golf is in a very healthy space. At the PGA of SA we have a strong and supportive board ready to take us into a new future, and golfers such as Charl are our ambassadors in this regard."

Schwartzel was humbled by the recognition, but refused to take all the credit for the current success in South African golf.

"It's an incredible honour for me. As touring professionals, we are out there doing our best to represent our country and win tournaments," said Schwartzel.

"But the club professionals in South Africa do an equally important job in keeping the game healthy and growing for our next generation of golfers to do us proud," he added.