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Dumi Chitengwa…..proving to be a force to reckon with in the amateur ranks

AN administrative oversight in trying to force a 130-man field to complete two rounds of golf inside one day backfired at last Sunday’s Telecel Chapman Grand Slam with more than half the field failing to complete the two rounds before sundown.

In an outcome that threatened to turn the event into a farce, the bloated field could not complete the requisite 36-holes before darkness set in and, as it became apparent that most of the field would not be able to complete their final rounds, the tournament organizers had to step in with a stop-gap solution to save the tournament. As daylight gave way to evening darkness, play was halted with barely 60 of the 130 players having completed their final rounds. A decision was quickly made to decide the tournament based on the scores after 32 holes – four shot of the required total. Many players were not amused by the decision and complained bitterly about the “injustice” to golf and the sponsor – to no avail.

As a result, comeback kid Dumi Chitengwa, who had started the second round two-shots behind first round leader Scott Vincent emerged victor, edging club mates Nyasha Muyambo and Vincent by a whopping six shots! It was just reward for the youngster who followed up his first round 74 with a brilliant 14-hole burst in the second round that catapulted him into the tournament lead, leaving him on a 127 total for the 32 holes. For Chitengwa, it was a second big victory in as many weeks, the former junior national team player having also won the Bata Power tournament in Gweru the previous weekend.

Lanky golfer, Nyasha Muyambo and Scott Vincent were tied second on 133 totals over the 32 holes. The former had a first round 75 and a second round 58 while the latter had rounds of 72 and 61. Incidentally, Muyambo also emerged the overall nett runner-up on 133 with Chitengwa winning that award too on a 128 total.

Meanwhile, Chapman “A” retained their Telecel Chapman Grand Slam team championship in style, with a 16-stroke winning margin. In an event in which only the best three scores counted, Chapman’s four-man arsenal was in its own class, the foursome of Vincent, Muyambo, Chitengwa and Rogers Jack all carding scores in the 70s that were just too good for the opposition. Even if the worst score among the four – a 79 had been considered with the best score – a 72 being excluded, Chapman A would have still won by 9-strokes. Such was their superiority. Scores of 72, 74 and 75 gave them an unbeatable 221 score with Borrowdale Brooke “B” and Royal Harare 1 well of on 237.

The Borrowdale Brooke “B” team was counted into second position with Royal Harare 1 relegated to third. The Borrowdale Brooke B team was made up of Zimbabwe Zone VI captain David Elijah, C. Manning, junior star Kent Ziehl and T. Chingwena while the Royal Harare 1 team had Kyle Basson, Kayyam Mandhu, Steven Ferreira and Ray Badenhorst.

In a related issue, Dumi Chitengwa won the Bata Power tournament held at Gweru Golf Club earlier this month. The tournament, which has been running for the better part of the past two decades, was held over two days – 3 and 4 July. Chitengwa had scores of 74 and 75 for his winning 149 total with outgoing champion, Rogers Jack placed second on 150 following rounds of 71 and 79. Junior national team player, Ray Badenhorst continued his impressive rise on the amateur circuit, finishing third on 151 after posting scores of 78 and 73.

A number of the country’s professional golfers including several who feature on the Sunshine Tour also took part in a specially organized professionals event that ran alongside the Bata Power amateur tournament. Tongo Charamba won the professionals event on a 5-under-par 139 total following rounds of 68 and 71. Ignatius Mketekete and Brian Gondo tied for second position on 1-under-par 143 following after posting identical rounds of 71 and 72.

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