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Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls
EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Clive Muchenje of ZRP Golf Club in Harare won the FBC Elephant Hills Open golf tournament in Victoria Falls over the weekend.
The former Vainona High School pupil scored 236 points over three rounds on 54 holes to push defending champion Josephat Phiri into play-offs and defeated him on sudden death to become the tournament’s wonder boy.
This was the first time the most revered amateur tournament has been won by a player from outside the resort city and by a youngster, organisers said.
FBC Bank was the main sponsor, alongside Ingwebu Breweries and Nedbank, for the tournament that took place at the Elephant Hills Golf Course with 120 golfers teeing off on Saturday.
African Sun Group, on whose facility the golf course is at Elephant Hills Hotel, have pledged to grow the tournament bigger.
Tee off was on Saturday and play resumed on Sunday with a few drop-outs.
The prize giving function was on Sunday evening.
Muchenje declared he would defend his title as he eyes professional golf, especially in the Sunshine Tour.
“I am very happy to win this tournament for the first time in amateur golf. It was really a tough game and I really thank God for the win. I have played other tournaments before, one of them in Mutare and finished second. I want to be a professional golfer and if possible play in the Sunshine Tour,” he said.
For his efforts, Muchenje won a gym bike and blazer.
Stella Feldman from Zimasco was overall winner in the women’s category that had 16 players as she successfully defended the tittle she won in 2019.
She called for inclusion of the girl child in the sport.
Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, FBC Bank group head of marketing, Roy Nyakunuwa, said the financial institution is committed to developing the sport.
“Our participation here is in line with what the FBC brand represents in terms of enhancing the well-being of communities that we serve. We have seen it fit to partner with Elephant Hills and as a financial institution we are a significant player in the tourism value chain where we want to enhance the product.
“We have seen it fit to come and support sports tourism through golf and we hope to continue supporting this cause,” he said.
Victoria Falls acting mayor, Patricia Mwale, who was guest of honour at the prize giving ceremony, said the tournament adds value to the resort city’s basket of activities.
“We appreciate the sponsors and organisers of this tournament which we don’t want to take lightly as it adds value to this city. We have the best facilities and with these activities we can develop sports tourism,” Mwale said.
Matabeleland Golf Association president, Vincent Makamure, said the tournament had set the tone on the need to promote juniors.
He said the tournament also promotes sports tourism.
“Because of the fact that we had to go on a play-off it means the competition was tough. There was play-off on the first round and another play-off on the second round and then sudden death which means they played six holes and all equaled.
“There was then one extra hole to decide the winner on a sudden death and I am happy and pleased because for the first time we have had someone from outside Victoria Falls winning this tournament and this is just a young boy. As we look at developing youngsters, this should be a wake-up call to say we have lots of youngsters that should be coming here and compete to win this tournament,” Makamure said.
He implored all stakeholders to support the sport to promote tourism.
The tournament is for local amateur golfers who aspire to play professionally.
Online Reporter