eBusiness Weekly
Chipo Sabeta
In true festive spirit, Leopard Rock Hotel, has offered female golfers its golf course for free until December 31, in honour and celebration of the appointment of veteran swimmer Kirsty Coventry as Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.
Situated in the majestic Vumba Mountains in the Eastern Highlands, Leopard Rock Hotel has an 18-hole golf course and people have travelled from across the globe to play on arguably one of Southern Africa’s most picturesque golf courses.
Dubbed, “Ladies Play Free”, individuals and groups are expected to take advantage of an array of savings and other benefits when staying at the top luxury lifestyle resort, as they will be exempted from paying US$45 per 18 hole per round, together with a subsidised fee for lessons from pro golfer, Perkins Mutenda.
Executive director Samir Shasha, said it was critical for Leopard Rock Hotel to spoil and promote female golfers this festive season, as they celebrate the appointment of Minister Coventry.
Minister Coventry is the first sport professional to be appointed sports minister in the country’s history.
“In honour of Kirsty Coventry’s appointment as Minister of Youth Sport, Arts and Recreation, ladies will play golf free until the end of 2018.
“Lessons from our pro golfer Perkins Mutenda, will be going for $10 per hour,” said Shasha, who took over ownership of the hotel in 2014.
The historic golf course
Designed by the world renowned Zimbabwean Peter Matkovich, the golf course is regarded as one of the most picturesque in the world and has been judged one of the top 10 in Africa.
Matkovich was a highly talented rugby player and represented his country at full back before he gave up rugby to become a professional golfer.
He ultimately turned his talents to golf course designing, for which he is world renowned.
Women golfers upbeat
Muchaneta Chimbandi, a member of Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Association (ZLGA) and Warren Hills Golf Club, said it was a pleasant surprise from Leopard Rock to be allowed to use their facilities for free.
Chimbandi said she is looking forward to her three-day stay at the hotel this weekend.
“It’s a great promotion and we really appreciate the offer. Besides being a tourist, I am looking forward to have a good time in the course with my friends and family.
“I will be there from Friday (today) to Sunday. Zimbabwe is a modern country that wants to see gender equality become the norm across all parts of society and today’s decision is another step forward in that journey,” she said
Chimbandi, a fitness addict, said the platform gives her the opportunity to wind down her year in style.
“December is the month in which most of sports fanatics tend to wind down after a hectic year and this is a great opportunity to relax.
“Such scenarios are very unique and we need to appreciate the owners for such an initiative. That’s a very supportive gesture by Leopard Rock Hotel and a big honour to the ministry as well as the majority of women and golf,” Chimbandi, a 29 handicap player, said.
Coventry was appointed by President Mnangagwa in September this year as the later fulfilled his promise to appoint a diverse, dynamic, youthful and streamlined Cabinet with the skills and experience required to achieve the nation’s goals.
Minister Coventry
Throughout her historic career as overwhelmingly Zimbabwe’s most-decorated athlete, Coventry collected seven Olympic medals, including back-to-back 200m backstroke gold medals at the 2004 and 2008 games.
Since retiring from competitive swimming after the 2016 Rio Olympics, Coventry has been active on the administration side of sports internationally.
The 34-year-old is actively serving on the Co-ordination Committee for the Tokyo 2020 Games and is a member of the Olympic Solidarity organisation.
In April, Coventry was named by the International Olympic Committee as a member of the Evaluation Committee for the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games.
