Zimbabwe … an African country that has been through it all – and then some.
The people have paid their dues. The ruins of a magnificent past still remain, constantly reminding Zimbabweans of a love lost. Yet most wake up with a sense of hope which transcends the politics, economics and hardship that the international media often thrive on. For Zimbabwe the dream of a better tomorrow burns bright.
During the annual ‘winter break’ on the Sunshine Tour, I competed at a couple of Zimbabwe Professional Golfers Association (ZPGA) tournaments in Harare. If you are yet to visit the country, it may be a good time to book the next flight, as the place is absolutely buzzing with activity and potential.
After the Harare Open and NAC Championship, Engelize and I booked a weekend getaway to Victoria Falls and were treated to an unforgettable travel experience. Having grown up in Zim, I’d been fortunate to be able to visit the Falls with family and friends before, but this was a first for my Afrikaans wife.
We were met by a shuttle driver in the airport terminal, who gave us the scenic tour through town before dropping us off at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. ‘Saf Lodge’ is a tourist attraction on its own, set above a prominent watering hole in the National Park. It hosts daily excursions, in-house activities, including a vulture feeding (an absolute must-see) and a traditional Boma restaurant, where dinner usually ends with you beating a drum in sync with a few hundred fellow diners before dancing the night away. All of which is before you’ve had your first look at the thunderous Victoria Falls, which are over a hundred metres high and more than a kilometre wide.
Before that incredible weekend, I had managed to pull a six-under-par 66 out the bag in the final round to win the NAC Championship at Royal Harare GC, and I finished third at the Harare Open at Chapman GC. Both courses have hosted Zimbabwe Opens since the tournament’s inception in 1984 and were in top-class condition. Next up it will be back to South Africa for the buildup to the Summer Tour events, which include the Joburg Open, AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and the return of most players’ favourite – the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek.
You can find more videos, photos and stories on our Zimbabwe/Vic Falls trips on my social pages.
