adminGeophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
KEITH Phiri and Mehluko Sibanda won the boys’ and girls’ categories of the John Nkomo Memorial Junior Golf Tournament held at Bulawayo Golf Club.
The tournament was launched last year in honour of the late Vice-President Nkomo’s passion to develop the country’s youths through education and sport.
Thirty-five young golfers from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South took part in the event and Phiri walked away with a golf cart after winning the boys’ gross category by scoring 76 gross.
Gross score refers to the total number of strokes taken during one’s round of golf, plus any penalty strokes.
Phiri was tied with second placed Elton Ndlovu, but won by virtue of playing off a seven handicap while Ndlovu played off an eight handicap.
In third position was Daniel Mudzingwa, who was tied on handicaps with Ndlovu, but had a gross of 79.
Sibanda walked away with a golf cart after winning the girls’ event, scoring 96 off a 21 handicap, while runner-up Sandra Malena scored 101 off handicap 27 to win a sleeping bag. Natasha Nyathi was third, making 108 off handicap 25 to walk away with a sports bag.
Sibanda also won the most improved golfer prize for moving up from last year’s handicap of 36 to 21 this year.
Anele Ncube won the girls’ net category with 73 played off a 32 handicap while Clare Denga with 79 net and a handicap of 40 was second. Moetseneng Ndlovu was third with 83 off handicap 36.
Net score refers to a golfer’s score after handicap strokes have been deducted.
Ignatius Manyiwa claimed the boys’ event with 65 played off a 22 handicap followed by Mehul Patel with 67 of a 12 handicaps and Kingdom Maduma was third scoring 72 off a 36 handicap.
The John Nkomo Memorial Trust chairman Jabulani Nkomo said they were pleased with the turn out.
“We want to support juniors, who are passionate about golf, and we’re hoping next year we’re going to get more entries from junior players,” said Nkomo.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter