Africa Golf Confederation (AGC) president Johnson Omolo has challenged the government to invest more in golf and related infrastructure in the country.
Omolo was speaking on the sidelines of the 2024 All Africa Golf Team Championship which concluded at Bulawayo Golf Club on Friday with 11 countries including hosts Zimbabwe taking part.
It is the second time that Zimbabwe was hosting the continent's premier biennial golf event since 2017 when it was held at Elephant Hills Golf Course in Victoria Falls.
This time around, the event was initially set for Seychelles but had to be moved due to disruptive weather experienced in that country and Zimbabwe grabbed the opportunity to stage the event.
South Africa won the event after finishing on 21 - under par after four round with Zambia second, 31 strokes behind on 10 - over while the hosts Zimbabwe settled for third on 14 - over par overall.
While Omoro was impressed by Zimbabwe's golf infrastructure he feels the government needs to invest more in the sport.
"We also appeal to the government of Zimbabwe led by His Excellency Emerson Mnangagwa, tried and tested leader, that his government invests more in golf. Golf is a premium sport and we request through the Ministry of Sports to a little more to sustain golf so that when we visit Zimbabwe we can enjoy golf. We can see that the golf courses are struggling and the ministry must step up and support this game which can be an alternative source of tourism for the country.
We know the president was teeing at one of the golf courses. We will be happy to see him tee at more courses. If Zanu PF is holding their annual meetings in other provinces it will also be good to see other party leaders tee off in other provinces.
President Mnangagwa teed off for the first time at Royal Harare Golf Club during the inaugural Presidential Golf Day.
Omoro highlighted that Zimbabwe was an important member of Africa golf.
"Zimbabwe is an integral part of golf development on the African continent. Outside South Africa in the region we look at Zimbabwe because they have one of the biggest golf infrastructures in Africa. The Zimbabwe Golf Association team led by Martin Chikwana has done a tremendous job over the years.
"We are aware of the challenges that African countries are experiencing in terms of resource mobilisation but we are grateful to the Zimbabwe Golf Association and the Zimbabwe golf fraternity for maintaining the infrastructure to be playable even in Bulawayo," he said.
Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA) opted to host the event at Bulawayo Golf Club, which is the country's oldest golf facility, established in 1895.
Countries that made it for the All Africa Golf Team Championship include South Africa, Zambia, Mauritius, Uganda , Kenya, Egypt, Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, Gabon and hosts Zimbabwe.