Sithole, Masiya win Mashwede Classic
AMATEUR golfers Munyaradzi Sithole and Miriam Masiya stood up to the occasion to win the 2024 Mashwede Classic men and women tournament titles at Falcon Golf Club in Harare yesterday.
Young golfer, Masiya still celebrating her victory at last week’s National AIDS Council of Zimbabwe Open, managed to get the better of the boys in the same competition by carding rounds of 74, 73 and 74.
Masiya managed to beat all the boys on gross score after the 36 holes despite playing off the white marks.
The 15-year-old, who is based at Royal Harare, was over the moon.
“I am very delighted to be on the podium for the second week in a row, it is through hard work that I am doing well. The course was playing very well and I managed some decent scores.
“I am very grateful to the Zimbabwe Golf Association and the sponsors for allowing us to play such high profile matches which give us some world ranking points.
“I am looking forward to take part in more events on the golfing calendar throughout the season,” said Masiya.
On second on the women’s leader board was Rose Masakusa, who carded 85, 85, and 96.
Sithole, who won his first green jacket at the event, was ecstatic after spending the last 10 years off the golf course.
“I think I am now better focused and the competition was tough but I managed to pull through. The course was playing well and I managed to lead from the opening round.
“I think home advantage played a part on my side as I navigated the course so well,” said Sithole.
The men’s championship saw Wingate-based seasoned amateur Shepard Chiwaya coming second on rounds of 75, 87 and 72 for a total 234. Bulawayo-based Elton Zulu was third.
The tournament also saw 14 professionals battling it out for US$2 000 and Robson Chinhoi won the event on 140 after carding 67 and 73. Clive Nguru was second on 142. For his efforts, Chinhoi pocketed US$500 as Nguru walked away with US$300 while third-placed Tongo Charamba received US$250.
The fifth placed players were a five way tie of Tafara Mpofu, Visitor Mapwanya, Promise Sumbrero, Trynos Muradzikwa and Biggie Chibvuri.
This was the second edition of the Mashwede Classic which was introduced into the Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA) calendar at the beginning of last year.