Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S top three female junior golfers are scheduled to take part in the inaugural African Championship Golf Tournament, a regional golf event which is pencilled in for February in South Africa.
The inaugural continental event will feature some of the finest golfers from around Africa and will be played at the Leopard Creek Golf Course, starting on February 21. The three top Zimbabwean players up for the highly anticipated tournament are Margret Nyamukondiwa, Primross Chikwaya and Kudzai Mandava.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub, Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union (ZLGU) President Margaret Vera said selection was based on the players’ rankings. As the organisation plans for a hectic year, participation in regional events will go a long way in helping players develop and grow their game while assessing the progress of other African countries.
Zimbabwean ladies are set to participate in three regional tournaments this year, in what will be exciting news for all female golfers in the country. ZLGU is planning to host a fundraising tournament on March 8 they are set to also host a fundraiser which will help them in participating in regional events.
“Selection of the players (for the African Championship Golf Tournament) was based on their participation in the High-Performance Programme in 2023 and their ranking on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). This year we will hold a fundraising tournament on 8 March, (in celebration of Women’s Day), at Police Golf Club in Harare. The objective of the fundraising tournament is to raise funds that will enable us to participate in the Regional Tournaments. As you are aware, participating in regional tournaments is crucial for us as we pursue our development programme. The regional platform is an opportunity for us to assess our progress against other African countries,” said Vera.
Vera added that ZLGU will continue to participate in the men’s provincial tournaments as their top players pursue WAGR points. A golf calendar for all the African countries has been circulated and funds permitting Zimbabwe’s top players will be encouraged to attend.
In February, there will be the Mashonaland East/West Province Amateur Strokeplay and the Top Chicks Tournament for the top 18 players based on the Order of Merit. After the fundraising golf tournament, there will be the Matabeleland Province Amateur Strokeplay (23-24). In April (6), there will be the ZLGU Annual General Meeting (AGM) and All Africa Junior Team Championship in South Africa (21- 27).
The following months will see a number of local tournaments taking part with the Midlands Province Amateur Strokeplay in May (25-26), followed by Manicaland Province Amateur Strokeplay and Harare Province Amateur Strokeplay in June (22- 23) and July (26-28) respectively.
The ZLGU Amateur Strokeplay is scheduled for 23-25 August and Zimbabwe will also take part in the A & B Triangular tournament in Zimbabwe whose dates are yet to be confirmed. In September (28-29) there will be ZLGU Matchplay and the last event will be All Africa Challenge Trophy in Morocco whose dates are also yet to be confirmed but is pencilled for November. – @brandon_malvin
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