Simon V. Muzenda Junior Golf Championship returns to Kwekwe

By Sports Reporter | 4h ago

The tournament hopes to become a consistent fixture on the junior calendar for several years and continues to gain prestige.

The fairways of Kwekwe Golf Club will come alive on Friday, September 19, 2025, as Zimbabwe’s top young golfing talent converge for the Simon V. Muzenda Junior Golf Championship — an event that has steadily grown into one of the most prestigious junior tournaments in the country.

Held annually in honour of the late Simon Vengai Muzenda, Zimbabwe’s former Vice President and national liberation hero, the tournament is now officially listed on the Zimbabwe National Golf Calendar and enjoys recognition as a World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR)-accredited event. As a result, it not only attracts local junior stars but also garners interest from regional players looking to climb the global amateur rankings.

The Simon V. Muzenda Junior Golf Championship began as a tribute to a revered national figure and has grown into a breeding ground for the country’s next generation of golfing talent. Over the years, it has evolved from a modest local competition into an elite junior golf showcase, now widely followed on the Zimbabwe Golf Association’s social media platforms.

The tournament provides a vital platform for young golfers from across Zimbabwe — and occasionally beyond — to test their skills in a highly competitive setting. With its WAGR status, performances here can have a real impact on players’ international rankings, making every stroke count.

Last year’s edition delivered plenty of drama. Lloyd Dube, a promising junior from Gweru, emerged victorious in the 2024 Simon V. Muzenda Junior Golf Championship after a tightly contested battle.

Dube posted rounds of 74, 76, and 82, finishing with a gross total of 232. He tied with Notice Gono, forcing a playoff to decide the winner.

In the pressure of extra holes, Dube held his nerve to claim the title, etching his name into the tournament’s growing legacy. Gono, meanwhile, walked away with the runner-up medal, having pushed the champion all the way. The playoff showdown was a reminder of just how competitive this event has become.

The tournament hopes to become a consistent fixture on the junior calendar for several years and continues to gain prestige.