GOLF is largely regarded as an elite sport and basically out of reach for rural kids due to lack of resources and courses to play in.
But Chimanimani teenager Vincent Chidambazina has risen from a remote rural setting to become one of the brightest prospects in Zimbabwe junior golf circles.
What makes Chidambazina more remarkable is the fact that he survived Cyclone Idai more than four years ago, a disaster which claimed many lives and completely destroyed the nine- hole substandard Chimanimani golf course where they used to train.
Chidambazina reflected on his golf journey.
"I have my nephew Timothy Mudluli, he used to play golf and he introduced me to golf when I was just eight-years-old. He became my first coach. However, he left golf altogether to focus more on tourism, but I chose to continue with my golf journey," Chidambazina said in am interview with The Sports Hub.
"In Chimanimani there is a nine-hole golf course and it’s not in good shape because it was destroyed by Cyclone Idai, but at least we have somewhere to hit the ball in what remains of the course and we are able to practice.
"Considering where I have come from, the challenges I have faced in this journey even surviving Cyclone Idai as well as lack of equipment to train and funds to travel for competitions, I never thought I would be here today
"I am the first born in my family and I am also the first person to play golf. My family is very supportive and my siblings want to play golf as well, but the challenge is that there is no equipment f in Chimanimani as well as sponsorship."
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Chidambazina took part in the WAZIGA Charity Golf tournament, which was staged at Borrowdale Brooke, Chapman and Royal Harare Golf Clubs last week.
The WAZIGA leadership, moved by his story, gave him a golf bag full of golf clubs and they also pledged to assist the fledgling golfer with accomodation and other requirements for him to stay in Harare and focus on his game.
At 17, Chidambazina has already flown the country's flag high in regional competitions and he has done well on the local junior circuit.
In August, he competed at the Zimbabwe Junior Golf Open against some of the top golfers from across the globe at Borrowdale Brooke and finished in overall seventh place.
He won an award for the best gross on the second day of the event when he shot an impressive 2 - Under Par 70.
"We aim to the sky, but firstly I would love to have a chance to play college golf in the US and then after that I can become a professional where I can pursue the big dream of playing in big Tours like the PGA Tour and the Sunshine Tour," he said.
The teenage golfer has just completed Ordinary Level education at Chimanimani High School and is hoping to pass and go to Advanced Level or get into US colleges to play golf.
And next year, Chidambazina is also looking to win some junior competitions on the local scene.
"Next year I am aiming for trophies. I want to win some major junior tournaments, so I am going to work hard on improving my golf.
"I haven’t won much as a golfer and most of the time I am finishing in second and third place which is good for me," the former Ngangu Primary School student said.
