Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub ON a bright Friday morning at Royal Harare Golf Club, President Mnangagwa stood poised with a putter in hand, drawing loud cheers from the crowds as he led the opening ceremony of the Presidential Golf Day. The stakes were high, but not in the traditional sense. The real prize was the future of Zimbabwe’s youth. Every swing, every putt, every cheer from the crowd was in support of the ED-UNZA Scholarship Programme, a visionary initiative launched in November 2019 to empower underprivileged students with access to higher education at the University of Zambia. This is not the first time golf has been used as a tool for unity and progress. Last year, President Mnangagwa inaugurated the Presidential Golf Day and Putt Out Challenge, a historic event that brought together business leaders, diplomats, and philanthropists. But perhaps the most audacious example of President Mnangagwa’s “Golf Diplomacy” came in 2018, when he revealed at the New York Investors’ Forum that he had offered US President Donald Trump a piece of land in Victoria Falls to build a state-of-the-art golf course. Dressed in full golf attire and his trademark scarf, President Mnangagwa skipped the speeches and went straight to the action at the iconic venue that has hosted some of the world’s big names in the sport. The President took part in the ceremonial Presidential Putt-Out Challenge, which serves as an appetiser for the fund-raising Presidential Golf Day, which attracted over 150 participants this year. With the winter temperatures now paving way for warmer sunny days, the weather was perfect for golf and fun on the lush greens of Royal Harare. President Mnangagwa teamed up with businessman Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei to form Team-ED that competed against a team of business executives, Charles Shava of Nssa and Xie Chonghui of Makomo Engineering. This coalition was aptly named Team Xie-Shava. Then came the putting time. The highlight was when Team-ED’s Dr Tagwirei took a flawless shot to find the hole on the first attempt and this ultimately proved the difference as Team Xie-Mhofu missed all their putting attempts. Team ED emerged victorious by a single shot at the end of the exciting rounds of the Presidential Putt Out Challenge. The President was also joined on the greens by his daughter, Farai, and was absorbed in camaraderie, mingling with the Royal Harare Golf Club members, staff and invited guests. He shared the greens and had a hearty chat with Ray Wallbridge (90), the oldest member of Royal Harare Golf Club, as well as talented Heritage School learner, Casey Chabveka, who is the youngest member of the club at 12 years old. Scottland Football Club also sent their representatives to the event and were granted their wish after they asked President Mnangagwa to put his signature on their match ball. Zimbabwe international Khama Billiat was among the small group of players who also had a chat with the President, as they lauded him for supporting sport. Royal Harare Golf Club officials were excited to host the Presidential Golf Day. Simon Murungweni, the Royal Harare Golf Club’s director of golf, said the event has attracted more sponsors and more participants this year. “I think this is quite one of our majors here at Royal Harare Golf Club. It started last year, of course different month, but this is the second year running and having the President come to the golf club, which is, I think the second oldest club in the country, is such a great thing for us as a club,” said Murungweni. “I think this year is bigger. There are a lot of corporates that came in to support the Presidential Golf Day. From the last time I heard, I think there were about 35 to 40 teams, which is around 160 players. “I think going forward, it’s going to be bigger, bigger, and better each year. It started last year and this year, the number of participants increased, and also the environment. “You saw the different interactions that the President had with the youngest golfer and the oldest golfer at the club and in the country. So, we are very, very happy for such a befitting presence for our club and Zimbabwe at large.” Murungweni said the idea behind the golf scholarship fundraiser needed to be supported. “So, the whole purpose of this event, I’m not too sure if I’m the right person to say, but it’s to raise funds for the Presidential Scholarship Fund. “I think I’m told about 25 to 30 students whom he sponsors or whom he helps with educational, tertiary education for universities. So, it’s a presidential golf fundraiser,” said Murungweni. Gary Thompson, who co-ordinated the events on the greens during the Presidential Putt-Off Challenge, also praised President Mnangagwa for the ED-UNZA Scholarship Programme as well as for partnering golf in this noble cause. “The ED-UNZA Trust: it’s an incredible charity. It’s helping some of the most incredible Zimbabweans get a higher education, go on to university, who otherwise would never have got this. “It’s some of the brightest minds and hearts. We’ve seen some wonderful results, by the way. This is not just a political thing. This is the thing about people: touching the lives of people. “So, the President is driving that and we’re excited to literally help do the fundraising. The trust is built up of people who love the very values we’ve talked about — the future of Zimbabwe is in our youth. And you know what? That’s what the trust is doing, giving them a higher chance to get out there; otherwise, they wouldn’t,” said Thompson.