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Brandon Moyo
TEAM Zimbabwe is gearing up for the 2024 All Africa Golf Team Championship (AAGCT) which gets underway on 27 October to 2 November at the country’s oldest golf club, Bulawayo Golf Club.
On Tuesday, a five-member team that will be under the tutelage of Simon Murungweni was announced. The five players who were tasked with flying the country’s flag high at the continent’s premier amateur golfing event are Tanaka Chatora, Vincent Chidambazina, Kelvin Muchenje, Keegan Shutt, and Michael Wallace. Munodawafa Mutupo is the team manager.
Murungweni and Mutupo said they were confident that they would retain the trophy.
“I think every player we picked is very good. They are our champions. This is the strongest team we have fielded. They have won tournaments on that turf (Bulawayo Golf Club). Hopefully, we will be able to use that to our advantage. We are expecting a good show. The morale is high, and everyone is looking forward to the challenge,” said Murungweni.
Mutupo added that he was also confident that they would be able to use home advantage like what Zambia did in May when they won the Region F tournament.
“As we go on to participate in the 2024 All-Africa Golf Team Championship, we have selected the best players on the local circuit and these players have played a lot of tournaments locally and internationally. We are confident that they will be able to rise to the occasion and shrug off competition.
“Furthermore, we are also hopeful that on the first day, they will be leading because this competition is like a 100-metre race. If you miss it from the word go, then it will be difficult to recover and our strategy is to lead from the outset,” said Mutupo.
The AAGTC is the continent’s premier amateur golf event bringing together the best amateur golfers from 20 African nations. It is a biennial tournament. Morocco are the defending champions having dethroned perennial winners South Africa in the previous edition held in Egypt in 2022.
Participating teams are expected to arrive in Zimbabwe on 27 October and the following day, there will be the official opening ceremony and the official practice round.
The championship’s first round is on 29 October and will stretch until 1 November for the fourth and final round where there will also be the prize presentation. Competing teams are set to leave Bulawayo on 2 November, marking the end of the tournament.
The AAGTC is more than just a golf tournament, it is the pinnacle of amateur golf in Africa, showcasing the continent’s best golfing nations. Its significance parallels that of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in football and the Rugby Africa Cup, as it fosters unity, competitive spirit, and pride among African nations.
The event will also highlight the special breed of participants — Africa’s emerging golf talent — who will pass through Bulawayo as they embark on their journey to professional golf careers.
The forthcoming event also offers a crucial platform for youngsters on the brink of stardom to gain exposure and experience at the highest amateur level.
The event will attract officials from esteemed organisations such as the Africa Golf Confederation and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), further amplifying its significance internationally.
Online Reporter