Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo
BULAWAYO is locked and loaded for a sizzling Saturday as Harry Allen Golf Club tees off one of the biggest showdowns in amateur golf. The 2025 Sterling Group International Pairs qualifier is here and it’s serious business.
Golfers from all walks of life are dusting off their clubs and eyeing a shot at glory, with the event running simultaneously with another qualifier at Troutbeck Golf Club in Nyanga. This isn’t just about birdies and bogeys. It’s a bold play to turn Zimbabwe into a must-visit playground for sports tourists.
Launched last week in Harare under the banner “Tee off for travel, discover the beauty of Zimbabwe,” the tournament aims to swing the spotlight onto the country’s tourism gems through the noble game of golf.
Deputy Minister of Tourism Tongai Mnangagwa, speaking at the glitzy launch, said the partnership between the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Albatross Golf Company is more than just a handshake. It’s a hole-in-one for the economy.
“In 2024, we laid the foundation. Now we’re building a legacy,” he said. “The rotating venues, like Victoria Falls and Bulawayo, are proof that no corner of Zimbabwe is being left behind.”
Sterling Group’s top dog Wilbert Manyika promised even bigger things ahead.
“We’re not just expanding hotels. We’re growing the game. This tournament is now the crown jewel of amateur golf in Zimbabwe,” Manyika declared.
ZGA boss Martin Chikwana chipped in, saying the sport is more than just a weekend pastime.
“Golf fuels the economy. From fuel and food to beds and beers, every swing counts,” he said.
This year’s national finals are headed for the picturesque Mutola Hills Golf Course in Mhondoro-Ngezi in September. The global stage is set for a return to Sun City in South Africa, a course that once crowned Zimbabwe’s own golf icon Nick Price.
The stakes are sky-high. Defending champs Litchel Maniveyi and Nothando Namuinesu are looking to keep their crowns as fresh faces aim to steal the spotlight.
Whether you’re a scratch golfer or just in it for the vibes, all roads lead to Harry Allen this weekend. Golf, glory and a passport to international stardom are up for grabs.
Game on, Zimbabwe!
