Everest Wealth Backs Professional Golfer Shawnelle de Lange as Women’s Game Gains Momentum
When Shawnelle de Lange first picked up a golf club at the age of six, the grip barely fit her small hands, but the feeling stuck.
She didn’t see a flat-faced putter, cold and hard as steel. She saw a silver shaft catching the light — a light that would follow her for the rest of her life.
It was that light, the curve, the steel — her own kryptonite — that carried her through the death of her 11-year-old sister, that helped her focus when she thought all hope had failed.
Even then, she believed that the smallest ball could change the course of her future.
Now 28, De Lange is one of the country’s most promising under-30 female golfers, approaching her career like a long-term investment. She practises up to eight hours a day and finds herself more often on a golf course than at home.
“Although,” she admits, “I’m an avid gamer — which isn’t such a bad thing, because gaming and golf often require the same skills.”
Golf was never just a hobby. It was her life. Where other little girls did ballet or played with dolls, De Lange played with clubs. “The first time I hit a golf ball, I thought: this is what I want to do for the rest of my life,” she says.
That moment happened on a farm outside Potchefstroom, where her family moved while her father commuted daily to Johannesburg for work. Golf became something they shared — a way to spend time together — and eventually, a serious pursuit.
Today, De Lange is a professional golfer navigating the realities of women’s sport in South Africa: limited tournaments, high costs, and constant uncertainty around funding. It is a reality that almost pushed her out of the game entirely.
“I actually decided in mid-2024 that I was done with golf,” she says. “You can only go so long without being able to afford travel, entry fees, and coaching. Talent alone isn’t enough.”
That changed when Everest Wealth stepped in.
The financial services provider has partnered with De Lange, backing her career at a critical point.
For CEO Jarryd Gillmer, the decision was less about visibility and more about belief.
“We look for potential early,” Gillmer says. “Shawnelle isn’t a finished product — and that’s exactly the point. We want to be part of the journey, not just the outcome.”
De Lange turned professional at 21 and has already built a solid track record. She won the Vodacom Origins event at Humewood in Port Elizabeth in 2021 and, as an amateur, claimed the SA Women’s Best Amateur title and the Indian Amateur Open in 2014.
But even with success, the path has not been smooth.
“Women’s golf here is tough,” she says. “There are fewer events, fewer sponsors, and very little margin for error. If you don’t perform, you don’t play — and if you don’t play, you don’t earn.”
Women’s golf also faces structural challenges. De Lange explains that course setups often favour men. “Women generally hit about 15% shorter than men. That changes everything — club choice, risk, scoring. It makes combined events hard to run fairly.”
Gillmer believes that is exactly why investment matters now.
“Women’s golf is undervalued,” he says. “Audience interest is growing, global tours are expanding, and the barriers to entry are lower than in men’s sport. From a business perspective, it makes sense. From a values perspective, it matters.”
For De Lange, the support has reignited her ambition. She is preparing for the Sunshine Ladies Tour season, with qualification events that could open doors to international competition.
“Europe is still the dream,” she says. “But right now, it’s about getting back into rhythm, competing again, and seeing how far I can go.”
She describes golf as more than a sport. “It teaches discipline. It teaches you how to handle pressure, how to fail, and keep going. There are no shortcuts in golf.”
Gillmer agrees. “Golf mirrors life and business — strategy, patience, resilience. Those things don’t show up overnight.”
For De Lange, the partnership offers something even more basic: focus.
“I can train without constantly worrying about money,” she says. “That changes everything.”
As women’s golf slowly gains ground, both De Lange and Everest Wealth are betting on something simple — that talent, when given space and support, will speak for itself.
Important Notice and Disclaimer
This article is provided for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice as defined by the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002 (FAIS Act). The content should not be relied upon as a basis for making any investment decisions.
Please consult with a licensed financial advisor to determine if such investments are appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Everest Wealth Management (Pty) Ltd is an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP 795) and a registered credit provider NCRCP 21504.