Wallace new Zimbabwe amateur golf champion

MICHAEL Wallace was crowned the 2023 Zimbabwe Amateur Golf Championships king at Royal Harare Golf Club in the capital on Sunday.

Wallace, who is a member of Royal Harare dethroned two-time champion, Keagan Shutt at the second biggest golfing tournament in the country.

The young Wallace carded two-over-par-290 to claim the prestigious title which was played over 72 holes.

He was two shots ahead of the second placed David Amm who finished with a gross total of 292, and four over-par while the defending champion, Shutt was four shots behind Wallace with a gross of 294 and seven-over-par.

In the first round of the championship, which attracted over 100 players from Zimbabwe and across the world, Wallace finished level for par on 72 shots and followed it up with what was not his best round as he shot two bogeys for a second round score of 74.

In the third round, Wallace shot two bogeys as well for a score of 74 again.

It was in the fourth and final round where he played his best golf as Amm kept the pressure on.

In the fourth round, Wallace managed to shoot two birdies after a round score of 70 which saw him claim the title as the best amateur golfer in Zimbabwe.

Amm, in second place had round scores of 74, 76, 70 and 72 in his four rounds while the defending champion, Shutt, who had a bad start to the event carded scores of 76, 74, 71 and 73.

The Zimbabwe Amateur Championship is the second most-important event on the Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA) calendar after the Sunshine Tour rated Zimbabwe Open, which took place in May at Royal Harare as well. This year’s tournament, like the previous editions, managed to live up to its billing.

The championship also awarded the players an opportunity to get World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points and was also recognised by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A).

The R&A is the world governing body for golf outside of the Americas and their role includes coming up with rules which govern the game.

Wallace was not the only winner on the day as another promising golfer, Kudzai Mandava won the women’s category where she was followed by Margaret Nyamukondiwa and Primrose Chikwaya.

Mandava, who has represented Zimbabwe in international tournaments, was 10 shots ahead of the second placed Nyamukondiwa.

Mandava finished with round scores of 78, 75, 72 and 77 for a gross total of 302 while Nyamukondiwa carded round scores of 78, 88, 76 and 70 for a gross score of 312. In third, Chikwaya had a gross score of 319 after carding scores of 80, 80, 78 and 81.

The women’s category was also played over 72 holes.

Golf enthusiasts were treated to high quality and exhilarating three-days of golf at Royal Harare, a tournament which ZGA made sure remains a prestigious event. — @brandon_malvin