150 golfers line up for Zambia Ladies Open

The fairways of Lusaka Golf Club are set to come alive this weekend as the

Zambia Ladies Amateur Open Strokeplay Championships tees off on Friday, bringing together 150 amateur golfers from nine countries in what promises to be a thrilling three-day contest.

The tournament follows hot on the heels of the Mopani Zambia Open and the KCM Challenge, and organisers say it carries the same weight thanks to its recognition as a World Amateur Golf Ranking event.

That status means every swing, putt, and drive will count not only toward the leaderboard in Lusaka but also toward the global standing of the players.

International arrivals began earlier in the week, with golfers from Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya touching down on Monday. The majority of competitors are streaming in today, while the final contingent is expected tomorrow, ensuring the field will be complete by the time the first tee shot is struck.

Tournament Director Rhodah Duthie emphasised the importance of the event: “This elite tournament allows players to build their world ranking points and gain international exposure.

We are looking forward to our amateur lady golfers showcasing their talent for the next three days.”

For Zambia, the spotlight will shine on its strongest female golfers, including Annie Nsama, Gracious Mwenda, Lornah Mwenda, Carol Joynt, Elroy Kabukala, and Rachael May.

Each comes from different clubs and coaching backgrounds, adding diversity to Zambia’s representation.

Unlike team-based competitions, the Zambia Ladies Open is strictly individual, with every golfer vying to emerge as the overall champion.

Meanwhile, three Nkana Golf Club players - Michael Chuma, Dominic Musonda, and Gabriel Chibwe - have earned selection to the fifth R&A Africa High Performance Programme, set for June 28 to July 3 at Royal Johannesburg in Gauteng.

The trio will join 17 golfers from nine countries at the elite development camp, which has quickly become one of the most important pathways for amateur golfers on the continent.

Backed by The R&A, the International Golf Federation (IGF), the PGA of South Africa, and Olympic Solidarity, the programme is designed to sharpen Africa’s brightest talents for global competition.

Key pillars of the initiative include elite coaching by PGA professionals, who provide advanced technical training, physical conditioning, and performance frameworks. Alongside player development, the programme also emphasises coach upskilling, with local coaches undergoing Level 1 and Level 2 PGA of South Africa courses to strengthen grassroots golf infrastructure.