Africa Amateur Champs, Women’s Invitational tee off

AFTER two days of official practice rounds, Zimbabwe’s golfers are ready to tee off at the second edition of the Africa Amateur Championship and the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational at Leopard Creek in South Africa, this morning.

Zimbabwe will be represented by eight male golfers, Vincent Chidambazina (Hillside Golf Club, Mutare), Kelvin Muchenje (ZRP Golf Club, Harare), Keegan Shutt (Royal Harare Golf Club), Darlington Chikanyambidze (Royal Harare Golf Club), Shepherd Chiwaya (Wingate Park Golf Club, Harare), Elton Zulu (Bindura Golf Club), Michael Wallace (Royal Harare Golf Club), and Tanaka Chatora (Royal Harare Golf Club).

The Women’s Invitational will feature three Zimbabwean female golfers, Primrose Chikwaya, Miriam Masiya and Danielle Bekker.

Last year’s inaugural event saw Zimbabwe’s Matthew Bramford finish fourth with an impressive 10-under-par 288. Keegan Shutt also made history, setting a course record at Leopard Creek with a remarkable 10-under-par 62 in the fourth round.

**Zimbabwe golfers in South Africa for the Africa Amateur Championship**

Shutt started on the 10th tee and made six birdies on his front nine before adding shots on his 11th and 12th holes, followed by a brilliant eagle on the 15th.

He finished the tournament tied for eighth place with a level-par 288.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA) president, Martin Chikwana, who is also the head of delegation, said they are looking forward to solid performances from the players. Last year, Zimbabwe had four players at the inaugural event.

“This is the second time that this competition is being hosted and we expect our golfers to do well in the competition, building on how they performed last year where we had four golfers. Matthew Bramford finished fourth while Keegan Shutt shot 10-under-par-62 and went on to set a new course record,” said Chikwana.

The winner of the Africa Amateur Championship will earn exemptions into several prestigious tournaments, including The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush. The winner of the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational will earn starts in The Women’s Amateur Championship and Final Qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open, among others.

A total of 71 golfers from 23 countries will compete in the tournament, which runs until Saturday.— @brandon_malvin