
International golf governing body, The R&A has expressed strong commendation for the ongoing development of golf in Zimbabwe, highlighting the promising future of the sport in the nation.
Eden Thompson, who is the R&A Golf Development Manager for Africa, shared his positive outlook during a recent visit to Zimbabwe, where he attended the Zimbabwe Golf Association's (ZGA) annual general meeting, which ushered in a new administration led by President Blessmore Gandawa.
Thompson's visit, which extended beyond the AGM to include engagements with the Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union (ZLGU) and club managers, underscored the R&A's commitment to fostering a close working relationship with Zimbabwean golf bodies.
"From an R&A perspective, we've been working very closely with the Zimbabwe Golf Association," Thompson stated. "With the advent of the annual general meeting, we thought it was a good idea to come up and meet the new leadership... to ensure that we have an alignment of thinking in regard to the work that we're doing and the support that we are able to give golf in Zimbabwe."
A significant point of discussion was Zimbabwe's strong representation in the R&A High Performance Programme in South Africa.
Five budding Zimbabwean golfers—Keegan Shutt, Tariro November, and Tanaka Chatora (boys), along with Miriam Masiya and Primrose Chikwanya (girls)— participated in this intensive program yesterday. Thompson elaborated on the initiative.
"Zimbabwe are very well represented within that programme. It will be a week of intense work with coaches back down in South Africa. And the idea with that is to supplement the support that they're getting back home from the clubs, from the association and it's really just to empower them, to skill them and to give them access to information that elite athletes require."
He also noted that the ZGA is actively implementing high-performance structures domestically.
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It's worth noting that two of these promising talents, Primrose Chikwanya and Tariro November, are currently playing collegiate golf in the United States, a testament to their dedication and the support they've received.
Thompson emphasised that the R&A's involvement is fundamentally a partnership, not an exclusive endeavor.
"We don't necessarily embark on any initiatives exclusively ourselves, it's a partnership with the Zimbabwe Golf Association and the work that we do is looking to support the programmes that the association are running," he clarified.
The R&A provides access to assets, information, and programs, along with funding where appropriate, to bolster initiatives driven by golf in Zimbabwe.
The R&A's confidence in Zimbabwean golf is further evidenced by the extended support they've provided.
Thompson commended the gradual increase in membership numbers, which he attributes to the collective efforts of the association and local clubs.
"Development is going well from the perspective that we have, our engagement back into the association is positive and the R&A have provided extended support to the association because we have faith in some of the programmes that they are looking to run and the initiatives that they are embarking on," he affirmed.
Looking ahead, Thompson expressed strong approval for the ongoing efforts to amalgamate the ZGA, Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union (ZLGU), and Zimbabwe Professional Golfers Association (ZPGA) into a single governing body.
"We're working closely with the association, the Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union and the ZPGA as well on the implementation of a one government body structure which we believe will significantly assist Zimbabwe golf moving forward," he said.