Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ON a bright Friday morning at Royal Harare Golf Club, President Mnangagwa drew loud cheers from the crowds as he showed up geared for the occasion ahead of the official opening ceremony of the Presidential Golf Day meant to fundraise for scholarships for the underprivileged.
Clad in complete golf outfit and, of course with the signature scarf dangling on his broad shoulders, the President was not just going to read the speeches to mark the official opening ceremony of the day’s proceedings.
In fact, no speeches were read! It was just golf through and through at this iconic venue that has hosted some of the world’s big names in the sport.
Team ED, comprising President Mnangagwa and businessman Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei (right), edged past Team Xie-Mhofu, represented by Xie Chonghui of Makomo Engineering and NSSA chief executive Dr Charles Shava, by one shot to win the University of Zambia (UNZA) Scholarship Golf Presidential Putt-Out challenge at the Harare Royal Golf Club yesterday. The event marked the opening of the President’s Charity Golf Tournament, aimed at raising funds for the ED-UNZA Scholarship Programme. – Picture: Believe Nyakudjara.
The President himself was one of the participants in the ceremonial Presidential Putt-Out Challenge, which serves as an appetiser for the fund-raising Presidential Golf Day, which attracted over 150 participants this year.
The golf event is part of the ED-UNZA Scholarship Fundraising programme, which assists underprivileged students to pursue tertiary education at the University of Zambia and selected universities in Zimbabwe.
Beneficiaries are drawn from the country’s 10 provinces. The scholarship fundraising was started back in 2019.
But the Presidential Golf Day and Putt Out Challenge only started last year. The second edition returned a bit bigger and more attractive.
With the winter temperatures now paving way for warmer sunny days, the weather was perfect for golf and fun on the lush greens of Royal Harare.
President Mnangagwa tees off at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Scholarship Golf Presidential Putt-Out challenge at the Harare Royal Golf Club yesterday, where Team ED emerged victorious. The event served as a precursor to the ED-UNZA fundraising dinner at State House in Harare. — Picture: Believe Nyakudjara.
President Mnangagwa teamed up with businessman Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei to form Team-ED that competed against a team of business executives, Charles Shava of NSSA and Xie Chonghui of Makomo Engineering. This coalition was aptly named Team Xie-Mhofu.
Then came the putting time. The highlight was when Team-ED’s Dr Tagwirei took a flawless shot to find the hole on the first attempt and this ultimately proved the difference as Team Xie-Mhofu missed all their putting attempts.
Team ED emerged victorious by a single shot at the end of the exciting rounds of the Presidential Putt Out Challenge.
The President was also joined on the greens by his daughter Farai and was absorbed in camaraderie, mingling with the Royal Harare Golf Club members, staff and invited guests.
He shared the greens and had a hearty chat with Ray Wallbridge (90), the oldest member of Royal Harare Golf Club, as well as talented Heritage School learner, Casey Chabveka, who is the youngest member of the club at 12 years-old.
Scottland Football Club also sent their representatives at the event and were granted their wish after they asked President Mnangagwa to put his signature on their match ball.
Zimbabwe international Khama Billiat was among the small group of players that also had a chat with the President, as they lauded him for supporting sport.
President Mnangagwa participates in the University of Zambia (UNZA) Scholarship Golf Presidential Putt-Out challenge at the Harare Royal Golf Club yesterday. — Picture: Believe Nyakudjara.
Royal Harare Golf Club officials were excited for hosting the Presidential Golf Day. Simon Murungweni, the Royal Harare Golf Club’s director for golf said the event has attracted more sponsors and more participants this year.
“I think this is quite one of our majors here at Royal Harare Golf Club. It started last year, of course different month, but this is the second year running and having the President come to the golf club, which is I think the second oldest club in the country, is such a great thing for us as a club,” said Murungweni.
“I think this year is bigger. There’s a lot of corporates who came in to support the Presidential Golf Day. From the last time I heard, I think there were about 35 to 40 teams, which is around 160 players.
“I think going forward, it’s going to be bigger, bigger, and better each year. It started last year and this year, the number of participants increased, and also the environment.
President Mnangagwa participates in the University of Zambia (UNZA) Scholarship Golf Presidential Putt-Out challenge at the Harare Royal Golf Club yesterday. — Picture: Believe Nyakudjara
“You saw the different interaction that the president did with the youngest golfer and the oldest golfer at the club and in the country. So we are very, very happy for such a befitting presence for our club and Zimbabwe at large.”
Murungweni said the idea behind the golf scholarship fundraiser needed to be supported.
“So the whole purpose of this event, I’m not too sure if I’m the right person to say, but it’s to raise funds for the Presidential Scholarship Fund.
“I think I’m told about 25 to 30 students whom he sponsors or whom he helps with educational, tertiary education for universities. So it’s a presidential golf fundraiser,” said Murungweni.
President Mnangagwa participates in the University of Zambia (UNZA) Scholarship Golf Presidential Putt-Out challenge at the Harare Royal Golf Club yesterday. — Picture: Believe Nyakudjara.
Gary Thompson, who coordinated the events on the greens during the Presidential Putt-Off Challenge, also praised President Mnangagwa for the ED-UNZA Scholarship Programme as well as for partnering golf in this noble cause.
“The ED-UNZA Trust, it’s an incredible charity. It’s helping some of the most incredible Zimbabweans get a higher education, go on to university, who otherwise would never have got this.
“It’s some of the brightest minds and hearts. We’ve seen some wonderful results, by the way. This is not just a political thing. This is the thing about people, touching the lives of people.
President Mnangagwa participates in the University of Zambia (UNZA) Scholarship Golf Presidential Putt-Out challenge at the Harare Royal Golf Club yesterday. — Picture: Believe Nyakudjara.
“So, the President is driving that and we’re excited to literally help do the fundraising. The trust is built up of people who love the very values we’ve talked about – the future of Zimbabwe is in our youth. And you know what? That’s what the trust is doing, giving them a higher chance to get out there, otherwise they wouldn’t,” said Thompson.
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