RISING teen star David Amm won the first event on the Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA) calendar for the 2016 season when he defeated Kieran Vincent and Tonderai Masunga in a sudden death playoff for the prestigious Dugmore Trophy at Bulawayo Golf Club on Sunday.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
The 16-year-old from Chapman Golf Club carded rounds of 76, 74 and 70 to pull even with the Royal Harare Golf Club duo of Vincent (69, 75 and 76) and Masunga (71, 75 and 74) on four-over-par 220 and force the playoff.
Amm, who had started the final round six shots off the lead, went on to clinch victory with an eagle at the first playoff hole, while Masunga, who had also crashed his drive onto the green on the par-four, was unlucky as his eagle putt lipped out of the hole.
“I had a slow start in the first two rounds, shooting 76 and 74, which left me in a tie for seventh and six shots behind the leader Kieran Vincent,” Amm told NewsDay Sport in an interview yesterday.
“On the last day, I managed to get things going with a few early birdies, finishing with a 70. I went to a playoff with Kieran Vincent and Tonderai and hit my drive just over the green and sunk the putt for an eagle to win the playoff. This win means a lot for me and I hope it’s just a glimpse of a great golfing year for me,” Amm said.
Bulawayo Country Club’s Justin Kirsten carded a 75 to finish a further two strokes back in joint fourth with clubmate Mayford Sibanda and Sherwood Golf Club’s Never Milazi, who closed with round of 74 and 71 respectively.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
ZGA vice-president, Mufaro Chivonivoni, who is also Matabeleland Golf Association president, said he was impressed with the quality of golf displayed during the traditional season opener.
“The field was a good one as most of the top amateur golfers from around the country were in attendance. It was pleasing to have golfers from as far as Mutare and Triangle playing. The course was in good condition, thanks to the rains that fell recently. We hope that other national tournaments will be as competitive and as exciting as this year’s Dugmore Trophy,” he said.
Chivonivoni was also full of praise for the eventual winner Amm, whom he said had a bright future ahead of him if he continued to get international exposure.
“It’s nice to see a young player like David Amm, who is only 16, winning such a tournament, which has such a rich history. He is definitely a player with a lot of potential and his game just keeps on improving. If he continues to get exposure on the international scene, he will definitely become a world-class player.”
