Rising amateur golfer Vincent Chidambazina has reflected on his experience with Cyclone Idai, which killed more than 300 people in his home area Chimanimani, after winning the Manicaland Amateur at Hillside Golf Club on Sunday.
It was the red hot Chidambazina’s third title of the season after wins at Bulawayo Amateur and Hillside Masters in April and May respectively.
Chidambazina survived the Cyclone Idai floods which devastated his home when he was just 12 years old in March 2019.
The deadly storm claimed 340 lives, while many others went missing and remain unaccounted for.
“I survived Cyclone Idai. I can say my friend Trust Makanidzani was injured in the Cyclone and he got well. The cyclone was a very tough experience for all of us in Chimanimani because there were floods that killed people. Our house was just 100 meters from where the flood passed so I thank God that I survived. I survived Cyclone and I am winning tournaments and I have to thank the Lord,” Chidambazina said.
Chidambazina talked about what it was like playing golf in Chimanimani where a nine-hole golf course was destroyed by the floods.
“It means a lot (to be here) because Chimanimani is a place where golf is less developed. Jane High is the only person who sponsors and supports golf in Chimanimani and she is the one who has helped me.
It’s a big challenge coming from such a place because there was also no competition. I always see better competition when I come to Harare or here in Mutare and other cities. But I feel blessed to come from Chinamimani and be able to compete with the best young golfers like this,” he said.
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Chidambazina dreams of going professional but at the moment his main focus is to do well in school and is set to miss the Chapman Grand Slam next week due to school commitments.
At the moment the teenage golfer is currently in Lower 6 at St Dominics High School in Mutare.
“I just want to finish school and if I make it to golf academies or universities on scholarships that would be great for me. After that I can turn pro and start living in the golf world,” he said.
Last weekend, Chidambazina was in fine form shooting rounds of 70, 68 and 72 in the 54 holes of the par 73 Hillside course to win the Manicaland Amateur on 9 – under par 210.
He was a massive eight strokes ahead of nearest rival, defending champion Michael Wallace who finished on 1 - under par 219.
"I feel so happy and grateful because I have fulfilled my dream. I wanted to win three trophies this year and I have managed to achieve it in a space of three months which is pretty good and amazing to me.
"For me this is important, considering where I came from and what I am doing now it is a great achievement. It was a good weekend for me because the swing was playing. The other guys were trying to catch up with me, especially today.
"I always enjoy playing here (Hillside Golf Club) because this is my home course. I want to thank all those who are helping to prepare this course.
It is a great pleasure to win here," he said.
