Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, [email protected]
THE Sterling Group International Pairs Golf Tournament, one of Zimbabwe’s largest amateur golf competitions, kicked off its nationwide qualifying tournaments, with three clubs already completing their events.
The qualifying rounds, which started on June 1 and expected to complete on August 14, are expected to attract approximately 2 400 golfers from 32 golf clubs around the country.
Early competition has been fierce as players seek to secure one of the coveted spots at the National Final set for August 22 at Country Club in Harare.
At Marondera Golf Club, Ricard Mufuka and Patrick Makuzwa produced a strong performance to win the qualifier with 45 points. Hot on their heels were 2024 national champions Tawanda Borerwe and Robson Jokonya, who finished second on 44 points.
The Troutbeck Golf Club qualifier saw Timothy Nyamutowa and Marvene Pahla emerge victorious on 43 points, ahead of Naison Kokota and Saide Chitimba, who secured second place with 41 points.
Roland Park Golf Club in Zvishavane produced the standout score of the qualifiers so far, with B. Matingwina and F. Maipisi combining brilliantly to post an impressive 48 points. B. Njini and T. Mawadze followed closely behind with 46 points.
The successful pairs have all earned qualification to the National Final, where Zimbabwe’s best-performing amateur golfers will compete for the opportunity to represent the country at the International Pairs World Finals in Tenerife, Spain.
This year’s tournament runs under the theme, “Experience Zimbabwe – One Fairway at a Time,” reflecting the event’s growing role in promoting domestic tourism.
Through golf, participants are encouraged to travel to different parts of the country, showcasing Zimbabwe’s tourism destinations while supporting local hospitality businesses.
The tournament has received backing from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, which continues to champion sports tourism as an important driver of domestic travel and economic activity.
Tournament convenor Shameon Mazvarira believes the event has become much more than a golf competition, creating opportunities for golfers to explore new destinations while strengthening relationships across clubs nationwide.
“This tournament transcends the fairways and helps boost domestic tourism. It gives our golfers the opportunity to travel across the country, see new places and even internationally for the world finals,” said Mazvarira.
Attention will also be focused on how the the defending national champions, Samson Mavunga and Thadeous Lazaro, who represented Zimbabwe at the 2025 International Pairs World Finals in Sun City will perform in the qualifiers.
More than 40 countries are expected to participate in the 2026 World Finals.
For Zimbabwe’s aspiring champions, the journey has only just begun, but with dozens of qualifiers still to be played, anticipation is already building for what promises to be a highly competitive and exciting season.
