When Romano Rose and his wife named their son Cristiano, they had a footballing superstar in mind.
They were ardent admirers of Portugal and Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest players to grace the game, and hoped their son would one day follow the same path.
For a while, it seemed the plan was working.
Young Cristiano Rose took up football and was even enrolled at the Barcelona Academy in Zambia, where his parents hoped the name he carried would become synonymous with footballing talent.
But then golf came along.
Introduced to the game by his father, Cristiano did not need much convincing. The fairways quickly won him over and football was abandoned almost as quickly as it had begun.
Now, at just 15, the Kadoma teenager is quietly building a reputation as one of Zimbabwe's most promising young golfers.
His latest statement came at the inaugural President's Cup Junior Championship at Police Golf Club in Harare, where he claimed the boys' 15-18 age-group title after carding rounds of 74 and 75.
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His two-round aggregate of 149 was good enough for second place overall, just two shots behind eventual boys' champion Nathaniel Zidya.
For Cristiano, however, the significance of the performance went beyond the trophy.
“I'm feeling quite, quite great. I mean, it was a nice day, nice tournament. I'm feeling great. It was a good day of golf,” he said after his triumph.
“Yesterday, I played better, shot a 74; today 75. It was a bit of a struggle, but pulled through.”
The tournament, sponsored by Zambezi Gas & Coal Mine, brought together more than 100 young golfers and offered a glimpse into the depth of emerging junior talent in Zimbabwe.
For Cristiano, competing away from his home course in Kadoma was another important part of his development.
“It wasn't that much of a challenge because in Kadoma I played with some people from Harare and we always push each other, so it wasn't too bad. But I loved the experience.
His golf journey is still in its infancy.
Cristiano says he has only been taking the sport seriously for about a year, but the progress he has made in that short period has already convinced him that this is more than just a hobby.
“I've been playing golf for roughly, I'd say serious, for one year, and my dream is to become a professional golfer, playing on the PGA Tour,” he said.
It is an ambitious dream, but one his father believes is within reach if his son continues to receive the right support and remains disciplined.
Romano travelled from Kadoma to Harare to watch his son compete and could hardly hide his pride after Cristiano's performance.
“I am very happy. All the training and hard work is paying off,” he said.
“Cristiano's dedication and discipline is remarkable for his age. His game keeps getting better, he has shown resilience and his passion for the game keeps growing.”
“As his dad I always expect him to do well, so the win was well deserved. And as his father I couldn't be more proud. We continue to push for more wins.
“He started playing golf with me. As his dad, I saw his talent and persuaded him to train, although he already had a natural talent and developed a keen interest in the sport.”
That interest has also been supported by Cristiano's school, Makseth International School in Blue Ranges, Kadoma, which has established a golfing academy.
Romano says the family deliberately chose the school because of its commitment to developing young golfers.
“He is 15 years old and attends Makseth International School in Blue Ranges, Kadoma, and we chose the school because they had started a golfing academy,” he said.
“We are so grateful for the support that they show Cristiano. The encouragement from the school has been phenomenal.”
And then there is the name.
Cristiano's footballing namesake may have been the inspiration, but Romano laughs when asked about the possibility of his son becoming the Cristiano Ronaldo of golf.
“Yes, we were big fans of Ronaldo, and initially he did play football, and he played in the Barcelona Academy in Zambia,” he said.
“But once introduced to golf and with the natural talent, football was out and he decided to pursue golf.
“Now we hope he will be the Cristiano of golf and keep the famous name going.”
Romano wants his son to reach the very top of the game — to become the next Nick Price, Zimbabwe's legendary three-time major winner, or even emulate the global dominance of Tiger Woods.
“Cristiano Rose is an exceptional student — well disciplined, respectful, focused and deeply passionate about golf,” he said.
“At just 15 years old, he has already demonstrated remarkable talent, determination and commitment to his sport.
“I am extremely proud to testify to his potential. With the right guidance, support and continued dedication, I believe Cristiano has the potential to become the next Nick Price, if not the next Tiger Woods.”
Romano believes Kadoma has the ingredients to become an important nursery for Zimbabwean golf despite the sport still being relatively small in the mining town.
He is particularly encouraged by Kadoma Golf Club's club's willingness to allow schools to use the course to introduce young people to golf.
Reserved was special praise for Cristiano's coach, Boniface Chigorimbo, popularly known as BC, whom he credits for his commitment to nurturing young talent
“Kadoma allows schools to come in and use their course as a golfing academy, like what we are doing with Makseth International School
“ And BC's passion for training young players is absolutely incredible. He has dedicated his time and his own resources to make young dreams come true, using his passion for the great game of golf to teach and coach,” he said.
“That makes Kadoma and Kadoma Golf Course wonderful starting grounds with potential for the youth.”
For Cristiano, the journey is only beginning.
The President's Cup Junior Championship has given him his first major taste of success in Harare, but he is already looking beyond the trophies in front of him.
The teenager wants to become a professional, play on the PGA Tour and, perhaps one day, make the name Cristiano Rose as famous on golf courses around the world as Cristiano Ronaldo's is on football pitches.
His father has no doubt that the journey will be demanding.
But judging by the smile on Romano's face and the confidence in Cristiano's voice, the Rose family is ready for the long walk from Kadoma's fairways to the biggest stages in world golf.
For a boy named after a football legend, the irony is that his own sporting legend may yet be written with a golf club in his hands.
