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Brandon Moyo, [email protected]
PROFESSIONAL golfer, Robson Chinhoi finished as the highest placed Zimbabwean player at the 2024 Johnnie Walker Uganda Professional Golf Open that came to an end on Saturday at the Entebbe Golf Club in Entebbe, Uganda.

Among the six Zimbabwean players that made the cut, Chinhoi was the only one who managed to make the top 10 on the leaderboard. He finished tied for ninth after shooting five-over-par-289 and was eight shots behind winner Dayne Moore from Zambia who shot three-under-par-281.

The other Zimbabweans that made the cut were Visitor Mapwanya (eight-over-par-292), Promise Sombreiro (12-over-par-296), Morton Kombai (14-over-par-298), Pride Sembo (18-over-par-302) and Nyasha Muyambo (disqualified).

It was agony for Muyambo who was disqualified from the tournament in the third round after he signed a card with a wrong score.

Chinhoi was tied with Sydney Wemba of Zambia and Abraham Ainamani of Uganda. In his first round, the highly rated Zimbabwean golfer carded two-over-73 before going on to shoot one-over-72 in his second round.

His best round of the tournament came in the third round where he carded one-under-70. However, the fourth and final round would go on to be the best of outings as he shot three-over-74.

With Chinhoi making the top 10, the second best placed Zimbabwean was Mapwanya who carded round scores 71, 77, 70 and 74. He was tied for 17th alongside Greg Snow of Kenya, Michel Bula Bula of Cameroon, Samuel Chege of Kenya and Titus Okwong of Uganda.

Sombreiro was tied for 27 with round scores of 72, 71, 74 and 79. He was tied with Njoroge Kibugu of Kenya. Sembo was tied for 36 alongside Jeff Kubwa of Kenya. Sembo had round scores of 72, 76, 79 and 75.

In the two rounds that he played before his disqualification, Muyambo carded scores of 75 and 71. Throughout the tournament, only two players managed to shoot under-par scores. It was the champion, Moore (three-under-par-281) and second placed Celestin Nsanzuwera (one-under-par-283). Adel Balala and Dismas Indiza, both from Kenya shot level-par and were tied for third.

Meanwhile, the S V Muzenda Sports Foundation is set to host a two-day golf tournament at Gweru Golf Club on September 21 and 22, 2024, in celebration of the life and legacy of Dr Simon Vengesai Muzenda, a revered Liberation War hero and former vice president of Zimbabwe.

The event, themed “A Legacy of Humility: Celebrating a Founding Nationalist and a True Son of the Soil,” aims to honour Dr Muzenda’s contributions to the nation and his enduring spirit of humility and patriotism.

As a prelude to the main event, the SV Muzenda Junior Golf Championship will take place on September 20 at the same venue, showcasing the talents of young golfers. The Foundation identified and groomed one of the rising lady stars Miriam Masiya, a prodigy from Masvingo.

Masiya’s graduation from the Foundation’s ranks marks a significant milestone, highlighting the Foundation’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of golfing talent in Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to bring together golfers, sponsors, and supporters from across the country, all united in paying tribute to Dr Muzenda’s extra-ordinary legacy.

Players of all skill levels are encouraged to participate, with the Foundation extending a warm invitation to the golfing community and beyond to support this worthy cause.

In addition to competitive play, the event will offer a unique opportunity to reflect on the values that defined Dr Muzenda’s life: humility, service and an unwavering commitment to the nation.

The Foundation hopes that the tournament will not only honour his memory but also inspire others to embody the principles he championed.—@brandon_malvin