From lost ball to green glory…Zimbabwe greenskeeper teeing off the American dream

EVERY perfect shot starts with a perfectly maintained course.

Early mornings, pesky pests, and diverse preferences are just some of the challenges that Tizayi Tundu Sithole faces as a greenskeeper.

But his passion for greenkeeping has taken him from humble beginnings in Mbare, Harare, to the United States.

Sithole, a decorated golf course management officer and former secretary general of the Zimbabwe Golf Course Superintendents Association, understands the importance of his role.

He wakes up at dawn every day to ensure the course is in pristine condition for players, and his dedication is evident in his ability to keep the greens lush all the time.

After graduating from the University of Zimbabwe with a degree in crop science, Sithole’s love affair with greenkeeping took root in 2016 at Chapman Golf Club in Harare.

A simple act of searching for a lost ball sparked a passion for this often-overlooked profession, and he received a scholarship from the R&A, the world governing body of golf outside the Americas.

“I used to be a golfer till my ball got lost in the maintenance workshop at Chapman Golf Course, and I saw first-hand the conditions the grounds crew worked under. I realised the people behind the good-looking golf courses were not being noticed, let alone appreciated by the treatment they were getting. That’s when I took an interest to venture into the industry. I was privileged to get an R&A golf course management scholarship with SRUC College UK,” said Sithole.

Sithole’s expertise goes beyond keeping the grass green. He acts as a turfgrass doctor, assessing its health and prescribing the perfect agronomic practices to achieve optimal playing conditions. But his dedication extends to aesthetics too, ensuring the landscaping is impeccably presented.

March 2024 marked a significant milestone in Sithole’s career. He became the first Zimbabwean to hold the prestigious position of Assistant Superintendent at Oak Hills Park Golf Course in the USA. Affectionately known as “Tiz,” he considers this a major accomplishment in a highly competitive field.

“I am very proud of joining OHPGC as an assistant superintendent, becoming the first Zimbabwean to land such a position abroad. The competition is tough as it is white-dominated, thus it needs patience and willingness to overcome many obstacles related to such an environment.

“It’s my dream to become a fully-fledged Golf Course Superintendent here in the USA through the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America (GCSAA) and manage a golf facility.

“Getting the assistant superintendent job with OHPGC has been the highlight of my career as a greenskeeper and also being a volunteer at The Players’ tournament 2021 in Florida at TPC Sawgrass Golf Course,” he said.

While greenskeeping offers immense satisfaction for Sithole, it’s not without its hurdles. The most demanding aspect is the early hours. Waking up at dawn every day to ensure the course is immaculate for golfers is a constant test of dedication.

Another significant challenge lies in meeting the diverse preferences of individual golfers. Each one has their own ideal playing experience, and Sithole must strive to strike a balance that keeps everyone happy.

Despite these challenges, Sithole highlights the abundance of career opportunities in golf course management, both in Zimbabwe and abroad. He dreams of making greenkeeping a lucrative career path for talented young people like himself.

“Golf course maintenance and management is a profession and industry which is worth exploring. There is a huge gap shortage of qualified golf course and sports turf superintendent. Jobs are readily available; one needs to work on their qualifications and work permits.

“My wish is for golf course maintenance and sports grounds maintenance to be recognised as an industry and professional career that the youth can take up.

“In Zimbabwe our facility standards are at an all-time low as we lack experienced and qualified grounds managers.

This is a sign on its own that there are a lot of opportunities in the industry in our own country,” said Sithole. His dedication to greenkeeping remains unwavering, and he continues to strive towards his ultimate goal of becoming a full-fledged superintendent and leaving his mark on American golf courses.
— @brandon_malvin