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Brandon Moyo, [email protected]

FOLLOWING his maiden Matabeleland Amateur title at Bulawayo Country Club on Sunday, in-form golfer Keegan Shutt has described the course in the City of Kings and Queens as one of his best in the country.

Shutt staged yet another comeback to register a two-shot victory over Shijie Li to make it three wins in a row on the local circuit having won the Julius Robinson and the Manicaland Amateur, all in March.
Speaking after his win, Shutt, who is the highest-ranked Zimbabwean amateur golfer said he enjoys playing at Bulawayo Country Club, which always gives him a real test.

“The course has been very nice. It’s my favourite course in Bulawayo and I have always enjoyed playing here. It’s a real test, especially the greens, especially when I don’t have to fix the pitch-mark. It’s so hard that I can’t stop the ball quick enough. I really love this course, it’s one of my favourites, actually in Zimbabwe and every time I come here, I look forward to it. It feels quite good to win the Matabeleland Amateur. I know a couple of big names that have won this before, so to get my name on this trophy feels good,” said Shutt.

He carded four-under-par-212 while second-placed Li shot two-under-par-214 after playing 54 holes.
Once again, Shutt didn’t have the best of starts as he shot three-over-par-75 in the first round. He then followed it up with a three-under-par-69 on round two on Saturday, which left him on level-par-144. In the third round, he carded a solid four-under-par-68 to leapfrog Li into the top of the leaderboard.

Li, in his three rounds shot 69, 74 and 71. In third place there was Michael Wallace on a 217 gross with round scores of 74, 69 and 74.

Tanaka Chatora finished fourth with a 220 gross, following round scores of 72, 74 and 74.
In the ladies’ championship, it was 15-year-old Miriam Masiya who once again claimed the top honours. She carded eight-over-par-224 with three-round scores of 80, 71 and 73 to secure a seven-shot victory over runner-up, Batsi Tilowakuti.

Speaking after accepting her winners’ trophy, Masiya said she also enjoyed her time out at Bulawayo Country Club.

“I want to thank God for the gift of life and my parents for supporting me. I enjoyed playing with you guys and I hope to see you next time,” she said as she received loud applause and cheers.

Masiya also won the Manicaland Amateur ladies’ championship.
Tilowakuti had a gross of 231 after shooting 79, 78 and 74. In third place there was Tracy Humbira on a 243 gross with scores of 79, 85 and 79.

The Matabeleland Amateur was the most talented field in recent events with juniors set to represent the country in Tunisia for the All Africa Juniors as well as national teams going to Botswana for Region Five Games taking to the greens.

Next up on the calendar is the Masvingo Amateur, set for Masvingo Golf Club on April 5 and 6. — @brandon_malvin