THE Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA) has announced a youthful team which will fly the country’s flag at the All Africa Golf Team Championship set to take place at Bulawayo Golf Club later this month.
Three teenage golf prodigies Keegan Shutt (18), Tanaka Chatora (18) and Vincent Chidambazina (18) are part of the team which was announced at a Press conference at Royal Harare Golf Club yesterday.
The five-member team also includes top amateur golfers Michael Wallace (20) and Kelvin Muchenje (23).
At least 15 countries have already confirmed participation at the event which will run from October 29 to November 2.
ZGA vice-president and national team selection committee chairperson Munodawafa Mutopo believes the team has what it takes to win the event.
“The guys we have selected have played within and outside the borders of Zimbabwe and have been able to perform very well so we are confident they will win it this time. We are confident that the guys we have announced will be able to deliver the goods and bring or retain the trophy in Zimbabwe and not allow it to go elsewhere,” he said.
“These players that have been selected are obviously on WAGR [World Amateur Golf Rankings] and also on our local order of merit rankings. They have played very well in the country. This tournament is a 100m sprint and they have to perform consistently from the first day to the end, scoring under par scores.
“The tournament will take place at Bulawayo Golf Club and our plan is to take the team there on October 23 so that they get to know the course. I know they have played there before and have done well, but it’s important that they get time on the course. They will be there until the tournament begins.”
Shutt has had a very good year, where he won the Chapman Grand Slam, Champion of Champions, Zim Amateur and Royal Harare Golf Club championship.
He was part of the team that took part in the All Africa Junior Golf Championship and the Toyota World Junior Golf Championship.
Chidambazina also had a good year on the local amateur circuit winning the Matabeleland Amateur Golf, Hillside Masters and Manicaland Amateur.
Muchenje won the Munhumutapa Championship, while Wallace bagged the Roland Park Championship and Chatora, the Dugmore Cup this year.
Simon Murungweni is the coach for the team.