Story by Raynald Ngwarati
THE country is hosting players from eight other countries at the Zimbabwe Junior Golf Open which roared into life at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Club this Friday.
A colorful flag-raising ceremony held at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Club in Harare this Thursday paved the way for the Zimbabwe Junior Golf Open which roared to life this Friday at the same venue.
The tournament is featuring 60 players from eight different countries and is the premium junior golf tournament in Zimbabwe allowing young golfers to develop their talent.
With the players participating having a plus handicap, the tournament promises to live up to its billing, but the sponsors are more concerned about the life skills that will be imparted during the tournament.
“Sports teaches people life-skills, teamwork, etiquette, how to play well, how to lose well, how to win well as how you play together, these are life lessons that people need to learn,” said Managing Director of First Capital, Ciaran McSharry.
The tournament has improved from the 2022 edition with 25 more players set to participate while an additional three countries have come on board.
“I would say that I am in a position to lift the trophy and go home with it, but I am just looking to play some golf out here and enjoy the lovely course,” said Lerako Moleko from Botswana.
Yaone Mokgatle from Botswana added saying “Hopefully this time around it’ll be much better than the first time. I was still just starting as a beginner the first time I came to the Zimbabwe Junior Open.”
“The ultimate goal is Definitely to come out with flying colors, so, my target is to win the tournament,” said David Conteh from Sierra Leon.
Also speaking to ZBC reporter Liam Paul Britz from South Africa said “The targets of course are to do well, make myself proud, my family proud and of course represent South Africa to the best that I can and put the nation on the map.”
“Yes, I want to challenge and win the title.” Said Kingsley Afful from Ghana.
Local golfers are confident of retaining the trophy despite the stiff competition for honors.
“It’s nice to be playing here at home ground, so it puts us on a home ground advantage,” said Zimbabwean player Connor Lashbrook.
Mudiwa Chikochi added saying “We’re ready for it as Zimbabwe we have the home-ground advantage and I think it’s going to be exciting for all of us.”
“It’s anyone’s game at this point. The first round won’t even tell us anything.” Said, Luke Rooney.
The Zimbabwe Junior Golf Open is the second junior golfers’ tournament in Africa, with the first being hosted in South Africa.
It comes at a time when Zimbabwe is proving to be a sporting destination of choice, having hosted international events across different sporting codes including tennis and cricket this year alone.
