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Fungai Muderere
CEMENT manufacturer, PPC Zimbabwe, recently held an inaugural Invitational Kids Golf Tournament at the Bulawayo Golf Club which gave a perfect opportunity to Brian Gondo to give back to the community which raised him.
The 32-year-old Gondo, a pro-golfer sponsored by PPC Zimbabwe and a rising star on the regional circuit has, with the support of PPC, been running a programme to introduce golf to pupils from Government schools in the Bulawayo area for the past two years. When 25 boys and girls from Mzilikazi, Milton and Eveline high schools competed in their very first tournament, all those hopes as well as dreams became a reality.
Providing sponsorship to the tune of over $2 000, PPCa��s general manager for sales, Roger Steyn, handed out prizes of golf bags and trolleys, as well as balls, satchels, gloves and other accessories to the top scoring young golfers and said the dream was to one day see one of them in the league of international players like Tiger Woods.
a�?Ita��s so nice to see everyone in red for this tournament which is a significant part of our Corporate Social Responsibility programme and a dream come true for Brian and PPC. Be proud of yourselves and continue to fly our flag high,a��a�� said Steyn.
Sixteen-year-old Keith Phiri was the top scoring boy of the day and Natasha Nyathi (15) the top scoring girl.
Talking about the background of the tournament before the prize-giving ceremony, Steyn said it started when he played golf one day with former PPC managing director, Njombo Lekula and Gondo joined them.
a�?Njombo was so impressed with his game and, at the same time, Brian was looking for sponsorship to help cover his expenses. So we came up with a plan for PPC to sponsor him, with part of the deal being that we would buy extra golf clubs and he would work with underprivileged children and instruct them in golf,a�? said Steyn.
On Gondoa��s part, he said working with the pupils had been highly significant to him for many reasons, not least of all because he came from similar circumstances.
a�?I grew up having no idea what golf meant, just like these kids, and with not enough money to buy a golf ball and now wea��re seeing these same kids, who started with a handicap of 24, playing with a handicap of six or eight, in just a couple of years,a�? he said.
The programme has introduced more than just the sport of golf to the pupils, in addition and even more significantly, it is giving them the kind of exposure they would not normally have had the opportunity to experience.
a�?The game of golf is about self-discipline, structure and perseverance, all good life lessons for the students to learn, and therea��s also the hope that it will keep them occupied in a positive way, and safe from the challenges of crime and drugs that affect so many young people, especially in less privileged societies,a�? said Gondo.
In his opening speech at the prize-giving, Gondo told the pupils he had been waiting for the day for a long time.
a�?And now finally Ia��m standing in front of you and looking into your faces, and I can see that one day one of you will be standing in my place, a professional golfer,a��a�� he said.
Online Reporter