7 African countries are locking horns in this year’s edition of Region Five Golf Championship that sprang to life Tuesday morning at Chapman Golf Club in Harare.
By Tendai Chisiri
The tournament which is participated by amateur golfers is being attended by African countries namely Malawi, Botswana, Zimbabwe the hosts,Uganda,Swaziland,Namibia and South Africa.Zimbabwe is hosting the tournament for the second time.Region Five Championships is open to Southern African countries however the invite also extends to countries like Mauritius, Uganda, Kenya and Angola.It takes ten years for a country to host the championships.
Last year holders and host Zambia are not able to field a team because their amateur golfers are engaged in Zambia Open currently underway.They are the notable Southern African country that did not participate.
The annual event does not have prize money as it is for amateurs and medals will be given on the last day of the championships. The event will have the flags raised down on Thursday 12th and there will be prize giving. The flags for the countries participating were raised on Monday at Chapman Golf Club.
Lazarus Clever Secretary General of Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA), commended the event as a boost to tourism.”Golf tournaments helps a lot in sport tourism.Supporters from different countries converge to support their respective countries and later on visit tourists attractions in Zimbabwe.”, he said.
“On the ZGA perspective, we are trying to change the shifts of the game whereby underprivileged youngsters should also benefit on the game.We are setting out golf development initiatives around the country to help kids play the game”, he revealed.
The championships would not have seen light of the day without maximum support from the three main sponsors who are FBC, Hullet Sugar and AMG , a global accounting firm.
Lazarus Clever urged people to play golf as it is an active sport and people who play golf burn calories through walking and swinging which is healthy.”Golf is an individual sport sport that brings competitiveness into one’s mind and improves intelligent quotient.
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