Top juniors set for FBC Zimbabwe Open

By Munyaradzi Madzokere | May. 3, 2024

Tanaka Chatora

Three Zimbabwe teenage golfers Keegan Shutt, Tanaka Chatora and Matthew Bramford are set to compete at the FB Zimbabwe Open Championship which is going to take place at Royal Harare Golf Club next week.

The trio qualified for the event through the amateur entry which also saw other young Zimbabwean golfers Lloyd Dube from Gweru and Innocent Mukumba also making it.

The list also includes South African teenagers Ethan Fichardt and two time Zimbabwe Junior Golf Open winner Devon Valentine.

Shutt and Chatora, who are both 17-year-olds, are fresh from guiding Zimbabwe to the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan after settling for second place at the All Africa Junior Golf Team Championship in Johannesburg last week.

Shutt has had a memorable golf season so far this year notably claiming the course record at Leopard Creek Golf Course in Mpumalanga during the inaugural Africa Amateur Championship with a remarkable ten-under-par 62 in the final round in February. The 17-year-old made six birdies on his front nine before following up with shots picked up on his 11th and 12th holes and then a brilliant eagle on the 15th.

Compatriot Bramford (19) did well at the event where he finished fourth three shots back on ten-under-par behind three South African who were separated by a three-way playoff.

Chatora, a Heritage School student has done very well on the mature circuit and won the 2024 Dugmore Trophy at Bulawayo Golf Club in January. Gweru-based Lloyd Dube is fresh from retaining his Masvingo Amateur title two weeks ago and will be looking to gain a lot of experience from competition in the country’s premier golf competition.

Mukumba is also no stranger to the amateur golf scene as he won the Platinum Classic, Hillside Masters and Mashwede Classic last year but was yet to hit top gear this season.