eBusiness Weekly
Mugove Chigada
THE home team always has an inherent advantage but this is difficult to prove in golf without all the statistics.
If home advantage is fact, the Zimbabwe select team of amateurs stands a chance when they take part at the All Africa Golf team championships in October at the Elephant Hills Golf Club.
Fundraising for the championships seems to be on course but there is the danger of forgetting that the Zimbabwean team will also need funding to prepare in time and familiarise more with the course.
The small details will matter in the championships to be hosted by the country in Victoria Falls from 8-14 October. This week the Zimbabwe Golf Association admitted the team needed to make full use of that, hence the need to avail resources to camp in time.
“We are expecting about 17 teams to come on board and at the moment we are sitting on 14.
“These will consist of top amateur golfers in Africa. Each country is to provide a team of four golfers plus a coach and president of Union or association,” ZGA fundraising committee chairman Oliver Gwaze said.
“For Zimbabwe, out of the amateur tournaments held, top ranked amateur golfers are selected to represent the country. An event of this magnitude will need massive funding to make it a success. Zimbabwe is proud to have been chosen to host this event. And Zimbabweans are not going to disappoint.”
Gwaze indicated that apart from the contribution of ZGA and the Royal and Ancient Golf of Scotland (totalling $55 000), there are other sponsors that have indicated that they are coming on board to try and help meet the $100 000 budget.
If the shortfall can be covered quickly, full focus could be given to the Zimbabwe team of four top ranked amateurs that will represent the country.
“The Zimbabwe Golf Association fundraising committee has been tasked to look for sponsors towards this momentous occasion.
“The ZGA and the Royal Ancient of Scotland will avail funds. Our task starts at $45 000. We have to raise the difference and there are sponsors that have indicated coming on board,” Gwaze confirmed.
Meanwhile, there is still time for amateur golfers to add to their points this weekend at the Midlands amateur and the Harare amateur the following week. Such tournaments contribute points towards World Amateur Events and towards national rankings that assist with the selection of national and provincial representatives.
Local golfers will be eager to take the opportunity to be part of the tournament that African Golf Confederation Southern Region vice-president Obed Dube has described as the “biggest since 2001”.
Dube notes that there has been increasing interest from the north in the championships often dominated by South Africa. At a press briefing he also took the opportunity to confirm that he will not be standing in for his position at the end of his term.
“We have just done our full term. All the other three vice-presidents are seeking re-election except for myself. I will not be standing in. Unfortunately, I couldn’t continue. I hope ZGA will do something about it,” he said.
