The Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA) has expressed satisfaction with the country’s third place finish in the Africa Region 5 Golf Challenge at Lusaka Golf Club last week.

Hosts Zambia caused a big upset to win the tournament which has been dominated by South Africa over the past years with a combined total of 792.

They finished a massive 15 shots ahead of second and third place South Africa and Zimbabwe on 807. South Africa beat Zimbabwe to second place on a count out.

Namibia (820) and Malawi (869) completed the top five in the tournament which also included Botswana, Eswatini and Angola. 

“We would like to express our profound gratitude and appreciation to Team Zimbabwe comprising Matthew Bramford, Tanaka Chatora, Keegan Shutt and Innocent Mukumba for representing the country well at the just ended Region 5 Golf Tournament which ended today at Lusaka Golf Club,” ZGA said on their Facebook page last Friday.

“Indeed, the competition was stiff but our team measured up to the task that was at hand. There are areas that could have been done better but such is the nature of golf.

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“We will forever cherish their exploits and this result will serve to inspire future generations. Zimbabwe ended the tournament on a credible and well-deserved 3rd position, on pole position was Zambia while South Africa was tied to us in 2nd position but became 2nd on a count out.

Well done to Team Zimbabwe,” ZGA said.

Teenage golfer Shutt was the highest ranked Zimbabwean golfer on the individual leaderboard in fourth place after shooting rounds of 74 69 and 80 on the par 73 course to finish on 4 – over par 223.

Shutt was three shots behind the leading pair of Zambians Michael Chuma and Bwembya Chanda who finished on 1 – over par 220 before the former won the tournament after a playoff.

South African golfer Jean Pierre Van der Watt was third despite finishing tied on 4 – under par 223 after shooting 75 78 and 70.

Another Zimbabwean teenager Chatora finished seventh on 6 – over par 225 after carding 76, 75 and 74 with Bramford, who was the best amateur at the Zim Open, finishing ninth on 8 – under par 227.

The lowest ranked Zimbabwean Mukumba finished in 15th place on 16 – under par 235 after managing 76, 82 and 77.

Last year, Zimbabwe finished second after South Africa comfortably won the competition on 691 points, finishing a massive 63 points ahead while Zambia came third (758) and Malawi fourth (764).

ZGA vice chairman Stalline Masiya was the head of delegation for the international assignment.