PHIRI BAGS CHEVRON TOUR ZIWA CHALLENGE
LOCAL golfer Raphael Phiri on Saturday emerged champion of the Chevron Tour’s fourth tournament at Chainama Hills Golf Club.
“I am very happy to win this tournament. This is my first win as a professional golfer,” Phiri, 28, said.
Phiri, a member of the Chainama Hills Golf Club, turned professional last year.
In the 54-holes tournament which teed off last Thursday, Phiri had 74 gross on the first day, brought two under-par on Friday and had a level par with the Chainama Hills Golf course on Saturday to seal the win in the tournament, which brought together professional golfers and elite amateurs.
Compatriot Sydney Wemba staged one of the greatest come-backs of the Tour.
Lying 12th on Friday, Wemba, who won the first edition of the Chevron Tour in June at Bonanza Golf Course, cruised all the way to joint number one position with three Zimbabwean golfers Nyasha Muyambo, Ignatius Muketekete and Visitor Maphwaya, including the eventual winner Phiri.
All the top five were under par but ended up level par, with Phiri picking the title and Wemba finishing as runner-up.
“My first day wasn’t too good but I managed to come back. I am looking forward to working on my first day of the tournament,” Wemba said.
Dubbed the Ziwa Classic, the Tour started with 36 golfers but nine, all of them elite amateurs were eliminated.
The tournament ended with eight amateurs and 23 professionals, with 12 being from Zimbabwe, one from Malawi and the rest from Zambia.
Tafadzwa Makadzange-Chigumira, founder and chief executive officer of the newly formed tour is happy with the Zambian tour.
“We have had one of the best fields,” Makadzange-Chigumira said.
She said in addition to a US$5, 000 purse for the pros, golfers will have another chance to win points for the Order of Merit and really test their desire to be a touring professional.
The event at Chainama was the last tournament in Zambia for 2022 as organisers look forward to the final tournament for the season in Harare in November for the year.
The second season of the Tour will begin in January 2023 with an exciting line-up of tournaments, sponsors and events.
“Without the assistance of Chainama Hills golf course this tournament would not be possible and special thanks go to the club president, Paul Nkhoma and most notable the Club captain, Colonel Sidney. Sichimata and Tournaments Secretary Colonel Nawa who have worked extremely hard to improve the course as well as club amenities while the Chevron Tour has called Chainama Hills GC home,” Makadzange-Chigumira said.