Chimhini wins First Capital Jnr Open

TEENAGE golfer Munesu Chimhini made history at Borrowdale Brooke Golf and Country Club yesterday after becoming the first local to win the First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Open title.

Chimhini, who is one of Zimbabwe’s most promising young guns, carded rounds of 67, 70 and 68 for an 11-under-par 205 total to finish three shots clear of South Africa’s Gia Read.

Incidentally, Read, who had started the final round with a two shot lead following scores of 68 and 67, but a final round 73 ultimately cost him, as Chimhini’s greater con­sistency prevailed.

Another South African, Syan Ramchander (73, 65, 73) was placed third on 5-under-par 211, three shots clear of fourth-placed Kenyan, Parv Kavia (70, 75, 69).

After witnessing young golfers from South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Malawi, India, Taiwan, Ghana, China, France, and hosts Zimbabwe battle it out for honours, tournament sponsors First Capital Bank lauded the high standard of golf showcased at the country’s premier junior golf competition.

“From the first tee to the final putt, the standard has been excep­tional. It shows just how far this tour­nament has come,” said Mushoriwa, who also had words of praise for the golfers.

“This tournament continues to grow because of your talent, your mindset and your belief. You have not just played the course, you have risen to it. Every swing, every round has added to your journey. This has been a platform for learning, resilience and leadership; every shot, a lesson in precision, every missed putt a lesson in resilience…as we close this fifth edition, we do so with pride and with even greater excitement for what lies ahead.”

Apart from Chimhini, a host of local juniors competed in the tourna­ment which attracted 88 participants, among them Miriam Masiya, who was Zimbabwe’s highest placed female player, Nathan van Rooyen, Luke Rooney, Jonah Sanders, Peter Sanders, Unathi Donga, Thomas Sin­clair, Tadiswa Katoma, Tawana Man­goma, Casey Chabveka, Nathaniel Zidya, Zarina Makwarimba, Stewart Tembo, Lily Ascott, Theo Cochrane, Cristiano Rose, Toby Ellis, Munotid­aishe Pitara, Mukudzeishe Sekeso, Murray Whaley, Sibusiso Dube, Braydom Amm, Anashe Maponga, Edric Zirema, Tafara Mlambo, Dickens Gatsi, Listah Bangura, Munashe Nyamuziwa, Tadiwanashe Nyanyirai, Onalenna Munapenyi and Kelvin Muwi.