Chronicle EditorBrandon Moyo, [email protected]
THE Sterling Hotels International Pairs Golf tournament finals are poised to take place at Elephant Hills Golf Course in Victoria Falls tomorrow, with amateur golfers from across the country vying for the chance to progress to the World Finals in Tenerife, Spain.
Sponsored by the Sterling Group of Hotels, the competition is the culmination of a rigorous process involving qualifying events across the country, and is open to golfers from 90 percent of Zimbabwe’s clubs, making it the largest pairs tournament in the nation.
Partnered by Albatros Golf Company, the tournament seeks to promote sportsmanship, talent and tourism within Zimbabwe, by offering amateur golfers the chance to compete on a world stage, and is keen to continue to grow in stature and impact in the years to come.
Qualification tournaments were played all over the country with a total of 1 385 golfers taking part.
Sterling Group of Hotels Matabeleland general manager, Fungai Mutseyekwa, said as anchor sponsors, they believe that the tournament transcends sporting boundaries.
Mutseyekwa added that they are proud to have partnered International Pairs Zimbabwe as it aligns with their commitment to sportsmanship.
“The Sterling Hotels International Pairs Golf Tournament is more than just a sporting event; it is a platform for fostering camaraderie, showcasing talent and promoting Zimbabwe as a world class golfing destination. We believe that this tournament will continue to grow in stature and impact in the years to come.
“We invite you to join us in celebrating the spirit of competition and the passion for golf as we crown our national champions this Saturday,” said Mutseyekwa.
Albatros Golf Company director, Shepherd Huni said the tournament is meant to celebrate all amateur golfers and give them a platform to also compete like professionals. He said it plays a part in boosting domestic tourism.
“It’s a special competition because it rewards the average golfer. This tournament is different, as the amateur golfer gets an opportunity to feel like a pro, to tour the country and to effectively represent Zimbabwe in what is the World Cup of amateur golf.
“The objective is to promote domestic tourism. At the centre of any successful tourism campaign is increasing room occupation and golfers are like nomads, known for travelling,” said Huni.
One local golfer, who made the finals, Byron Sengweni, said he is looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead in Victoria Falls.
“Thank you to Albatros and Sterling for affording me and other golfers this opportunity. It was a tough journey through our golf clubs, but we all managed to pull through. In Victoria Falls it’s going to be different, at our golf clubs we were about 40 or so, but in the finals we will be meeting 140 golfers from all over Zimbabwe and it’s going to be a difficult and different challenge.
“But, it’s going to be exciting and I am excited about it. We expect to enjoy ourselves, and I hope when we travel to the Falls I’m going to be one of those that to get the opportunity to fly Zimbabwe’s flag higher in amateur golf,” said Sengweni.
The finals are expected to be competitive with the defending champions’ duo of Tawanda Borerwa and Calisto Jokonya having qualified. They are looking forward to earning another ticket to Spain.
Other notable players who qualified for the national finals are Livingstone Gwata (Zimbabwe Open Chairman) and his partner, A Alfazema, former Matabeleland Golf Union President Victor Suerga, radio presenter Chaga Chagaresango and his partner Edmund Machingura.—@brandon_malvin
Online Reporter