Teenage golfer Darlington Chikanyambidze(pictured) is the new Platinum Classic champion after winning the tournament by two shots at Norton Country Club last Sunday.
The 18-year-old rising golf star shot rounds of 76, 74 and 75 for a gross total score of 225 which gave him victory over nearest rival Munyaradzi Sithole who carded 76, 72 and 79 to finish two strokes behind after grossing 227.
With a number of top amateur golfers missing out on the competition following recent participation at the All Africa Golf Team Championship in Bulawayo, Chikanyambidze grabbed the opportunity with both hands to add to his Mashonaland Junior Golf Association monthly medal which he won in February this year.
It was another good show for Falcon Golf Club’s Sithole, who secured his first-ever win on the amateur circuit, taking home the Mashwede Classic championship in September, as he led the tournament going into the final round on Sunday.
A final round 79 saw him let the title slip through his fingers and on to Chikanyambidze’s lap who managed a final round 75.
In third place was Tom Sinclair who finished on 234 after shooting 79, 81 and 74 while Kyplone Matsunda and Simon Sibanda completed the top five on 239 and 241 gross totals respectively.
Chikanyambidze takes over from Wingate Golf Club Amateur golfer Innocent Mukumba who won the 2023 edition by three shots after shooting rounds of 75, 72, and 76 for a 223 final score.
Two years ago the Platinum Classic was won by Munashe Ndaruza on a gross total of 225 after 54 holes.
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In the women's competition, Sharmaine Mhundwa won the competition on a gross total of 292 with Jane Salimo second on 317 and Lisa Kambaza finishing third on 320.
Only three lady golfers took part in the two day event which was played over 54 holes.
The A – Division which was played over 36 holes was dominated by Tatenda Bachi who managed a total of 161 while Patrice Samboko took second place on 179 while Tinashe Chiwuta was third, a shot behind Samboko.
