When amateur golfer Lawrence Mpundu’s shot hit the tree before landing on an anthill at Royal Harare Golf one afternoon in 2011, he was naturally disappointed.
BY ALBERT MARUFU
Dejectedly, he walked to the anthill in search of the ball and inadvertently, he met a vivacious young lady — Batsirai Tilowakuti — who was also facing the same ordeal.
Two years later, December 22 2013 — coincidentally Zimbabwe’s Unity Day — Mpundu paid the bride price at Batsirai’s family residence in Hatcliffe.
Today the couple is eagerly awaiting the imminent parenthood and a return to the sport that both of them love dearly.
“It is funny the way we met. I was practising at Royal Harare Golf Course and hit a stray shot. Upon searching for the ball I saw her and immediately attacked.
Every time I go to Royal Harare Golf Club I feel a sense of pride because that’s where I conquered her,” said the 25-year-old Mpundu who has a handicap of three.
His wife, Tilowakuti, who has represented Zimbabwe on a number of occasions, just giggled before saying; “But I have a two handicap which I know is better than yours.”
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However, her face immediately turns serious as she goes on to describe how happy she is to have been married to Lawrence whom she fondly refers to as “Lolo.”
“Lolo is very supportive. The good thing is that we are both golfers and we understand each other. Amateur golf involves a lot of travelling, but we do not allow that to come between us. I am also enjoying a break from the sport, but will be back soon,” said the heavily pregnant Tilowakuti.
The million dollar question remains: will she leave the sport because of her marriage as has been the case with other female sporting personalities, notably former Mighty Warriors prolific striker Ruth Banda who quit the sport following her marriage to Esrom Nyandoro?
“No!” quipped the 21-year-old who has the lowest handicap in ladies golf of two. “I will be back soon. My dream is to one day turn professional and with my husband’s support; I see the dream coming through.”
Her husband immediately chipped in, reinforcing that the talented golfer would not be lost to the golfing community.
“Some people might think that her dream of turning professional will fall away because of marriage, but that is not the case. In fact, we will sponsor her through our family concern Weldit Industries Steel and building. We are a family of golfers. My father Ezekiel used to be the captain of Shumba Golf Society and is very supportive of her golf career. We even want our kid to play golf and the clubs are already in place,” said Mpundu.
With a two handicap, one better than close friend Yolanda Mubaiwa and former school mate at Hatcliffe High School, Tilowakuti however laments lack of sponsorship in local sport.
“The talent is there, but there is no money. I am grateful for the support that I have received from a number of people. People like Stewart Stovold who gave me a job in 2011, Auntie Jessie [Nyakatawa] and the current president Nancy Dube have been awesome,” said Tilowakuti.
However, her husband, who plays golf just for fun, offered a different view. “Local golfers just do not give their all. I am a member at Royal Harare and it pains me to see foreigners coming here to beat us. We know the course, so how do we lose? We are just not putting enough effort,” he said.
The year 2013, which happens to be the year Tilowakuti took a sabbatical, could be one of her best years in the sport having won her first international tournament, the Kenyan Open and three of the five local tournaments she took part in.
“I won the Mashonaland Ladies Open, defended the Midlands Ladies Open and the Matabeleland Midlands Open,” she said.
Such is the love story of Tilowakuti which began at Royal Harare Golf Club whose magnificent scenery, offers a perfect place to start a romance.
