eBusiness Weekly
Mugove Chigada
David Amm is the first to be guaranteed a place in Zimbabwe team for the All Africa Golf Championships in October.
Business Weekly understands that Amm, who remains top according to the Order of Merit after the Zimbabwe Amateur in Bulawayo, has the automatic chance of leading the country.
Indications are that apart from Amm, there was set to be another short-list of eight from which three would be selected to fill the other slots.
The team will comprise of four players, a coach and a delegate. Tafara Mpofu, who was third in Bulawayo and second according to that OOM, has also put up a strong case.
Zimbabwe Golf Association has, however, already indicated that the top four will not automatically make the team, saying form will be considered.
As part of the build-up, Ghana confirmed their team for the championships where more than 15 teams are expected to take part.
They will be represented by Maxwell Bonsu, Barry Dzadey, Abubakari Naful and Kwabena Poku. Francis Opoku is the coach while Michael Aggrey will come in as a delegate.
The Zimbabwe Golf Association, through its fundraising committee, continues to look for more sponsorship to meet the budget of hosting the event.
“ZGA is appealing to all corporate to help with the staging cost of the AAGTC. Companies interested must contact fundraising chairperson Mr O Gwaze,” ZGA secretary general Lazarus Clever says.
After the Bata Open Amateur, focus is now on the Hillside Masters Amateur set for September 16.
“The field will be limited to 120 players, the higher handicaps to be eliminated first at the discretion of the tournament committee. The committee has the right to refuse any entry. Entries will be made on the composite entry form held by the club to which the players are handicapped,” read a statement on conditions of entry.
On the Sunshine Tour, Keith Horne’s was victorious at the Vodacom Origins of Golf at Arabella Hotel and Spa after he finished on a total six-under-par 210.
“A win is always great and it’s been a while. I think it’s been a couple of years and I really felt like I deserved to win quite a few times. I really played solid golf the whole week this week,” he was quoted as saying by Sunshine Tour.
Away from the professional circuit and Amateurs’ tournaments, the leisure players have not been left out.
Indications are there are a growing number of companies resorting to forcing some of their management to play golf.
Sadly, if the passion is not there, there may not be any benefit.
Economist Editor’s conclusions, on beliefs that chase away potential leisure players, are spot on.
“(There is belief the game) is boring or businesses people who play it are all weasels who plot fraudulent deals between shots,” the Economist concludes.
And there must be a way to dispel the myths.
Former CEO of Wentworth Golf Club Julian Small is quoted describing how it tests character.
“When you do business with people, you need to know more about them,” says Mr Small. “Golf rewards players who remain calm under pres, too.”
Recently, Sithembelenkosini Sibanda the captain at Chapman also shared with Business Weekly his challenges on the course and values he holds dearly.
“My opinion of a good tournament is one that you play from start to finish regardless of the score, so I can say I have only played good tournaments,” he said.
That, he said, applies well in business.
Order Of Merit after Zimbabwe Amateur — Top 20
David Amm 290
Tafara Mpofu 228
Tatenda Makunde 226
Tonderai Masunga 190
Rasheed Mahomed 188
Never Milazi 187
Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa 179
Promise Sumburero 146
Mayford Sibanda 130
Jack Allard 120
Justin Kiersten 109
Thompson Masiya 85
Cosmas Siyakobo 75
John Milazi 74
Josephat Phiri 69
Anordl Burasho 68
Bekithemba Ndlovu 67
Salimu Karemela 66
Conrad Makoto 60
Blessing Gondo 59
