THE economic meltdown that hit the country in the past few years has been blamed for the collapse of sport in general with golf not being spared either.
BY BRIAN NKIWANE
This has seen one of the once prominent golf clubs in the world, Warren Hills, declining to unbearable standards.
Warren Hills Golf was home to former world number one Nick Price, 25 years ago. Other names that also passed through include Tim Price and renowned golf instructor David Leadbetter.
The new executive committee at the club has been working hard to upgrade the venue to match its status as the hub of talent and a good venue for golf tournaments.
Warren Hills Golf Course will on July 27 to 28 host the Champion of Champions Golf tournament with participants drawn from over 40 golf clubs around the country and across all divisions.
Speaking to this publication on Wednesday, club captain Charles Makirimani said they were now ready to host one of the biggest events which has made a return to the local golf circuit after a lengthy absence, but warned participants to be at their best as they will be playing in one of the longest courses in this country.
“We are trying hard to spearhead the revival of this course. There are many renowned golfers that came through the ranks of this club such that we cannot sit and watch it crumbling. The course is one of the longest in Zimbabwe with a length of 6 666 metres,” Makirimani said.
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He added; “We have actually taken our revival to surrounding schools with the assistance of the Zimbabwe Golfers Association who crafted a programme which has been involving school children who have been doing golf lessons. This programme has seen golf being played by developmental players with the assistance of Tavenganiswa Mabikacheche. We even call upon other clubs to come and stage their tournaments here.”
Meanwhile, ZGA vice-president Boniface Chigorimbo expressed the need to work hand in hand with the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) to put in place a junior golf team to participate at the Zone Six Games in Bulawayo and the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in Brazil.
“For the first time in history, golf has been included in our regional tournament, the Zone Six Games which are set for Bulawayo next year. So what we need to do is to start working on a national junior team of golfers. This will help our national selectors when Team Zimbabwe prepares for the Zone Six Games. There are certain requirements that the Under-19 golfers are supposed to meet. Their skills should be five handicap and below. So you see, we have a lot of work to do,” Chigorimbo said.
In addition to the junior national team to take part in the Zone Six, Chigorimbo said they also needed to start preparing for Brazil 2016.
“We have ample time to start preparing for the Olympic Games. It will be the first time that golf will be played there, so who knows, our boys and girls can pull a shocker and bring the medals. But what we want is to start preparations now,” he said.
