ZGA praised for hosting successful Africa golf championship

THE Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA) has received accolades for successfully hosting the 2024 All Africa Golf Team Championship (AAGTC) at Bulawayo Golf Club.

ZGA stepped in after initial hosts Mauritius withdrew due to natural disasters.
Eleven countries participated in the biggest amateur golf event in the continent with perennial winners, South Africa reclaiming the trophy they had lost to Morocco in Egypt in 2022.

Kevin Barker, the director of golf development at the R&A (Britain and Africa) congratulated ZGA president, Martin Chikwana, and his association for working around the clock to ensure that the event was a success.

“It has been a privilege to come here to Zimbabwe. I know how much time and effort is needed to organise a golf competition. The players think everything just happens, but it just doesn’t happen, it takes people, it takes a lot of effort, it takes fundraising, it takes time to make things happen.

“Given the fact that Seychelles dropped out last minute, I think you have done an amazing job. I thank you and all your team for everything that you have done. I like to thank national federations for also coming,” said Barker.
Africa Golf Confederation (AGC) president, Johnson Omolo shared similar sentiments with Barker, adding that there were no complaints from the delegates that attended the tournament.

“Africa Golf Confederation is grateful. It’s not easy to host this event. We thank ZGA for working around the clock to ensure we have a successful event. We have not had any complaints arising from the delegates present and we are glad the weather changed midway and the players were able to compete favourably,” said Omolo.
Chikwana, who also serves as the AGC vice president, expressed his gratitude to everyone who played a part in making sure that the event was a success.

“I wish to thank the president and his management at Bulawayo Golf Club. You have certainly over-achieved as far as we are concerned because we know what this course has been and to get it to this extent, you have done a great job.

“I wish to also thank the Bulawayo City, who have come to the party and ensured that we played in a course that was well looked after, given the history of this course. The biggest thank you goes to the organising committee, which was well led by our vice president, Stalin Masiya, for utilising next to none resources and yet bringing about such a magnificent event,” he said.
Bulawayo Golf Club captain, Josh Laper said they were also grateful to ZGA for bringing the tournament to the oldest golf club in the country.

“Thank you for bringing this tournament to Bulawayo. It was a hard fight, but we have done it. You (Chikwana) and your team have done us all proud and we appreciate bringing this tournament to Bulawayo, thank you very much. To my team at the golf course, the committee, the management and course staff, we appreciate all the long hours that you have put into this thing, it’s been tireless.

“The golf proved that the course was up to standard, thank you very much. To the players, without you guys here, we don’t do this. I thank you and to the winners and winner, congratulations and I hope this is a stepping stone in your careers,” he said.
The closing ceremony was also attended by the Mayor of Bulawayo, David Coltart, who also thanked ZGA for bringing the event to the City of Kings and Queens.

“Thank you that you decided to choose Bulawayo Golf Club as your choice. It gave us enormous pride for you to come here and not just to the club itself but of course to our city and our nation. Thank you to those who chose Zimbabwe and Bulawayo,” said Coltart.

This was the second time that Zimbabwe hosted the biennial continental showdown, having first done so in 2017 at Elephant Hills Golf Course in Victoria Falls.

The Zimbabwean team finished in third place, behind Zambia and winners South Africa.
Zimbabwe were four shots behind second-placed Zambia and a massive 35 strokes behind South Africa.
The hosts finished the tournament on 14-over-par 878, while second-placed Zambia were on 10-over-par 874. South Africa finished on 21-under-par 843 to reclaim the coveted title, which they have only lost once.

It was an improvement for Zimbabwe, who finished fifth in the previous edition held in Egypt in 2022.
On the individual leaderboard, there was reason to smile for Wallace, who finished tied for third place with South Africa’s Astin Arthur.

South Africa’s Jordan Burnand won the individual event after a play-off had to separate him and his counterpart, Ivan Vester.
The duo had finished on identical scores of nine-under-par-279.

Burnand won the play-off after shooting an eagle on the par-five 18th hole.
The 2026 edition will be hosted in Tunisia.