The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
A TRIO of teenagers is dominating the women’s golf scene in Zimbabwe and the hope is that Danielle Bekker, Emily Jones and Margret Nyamukondiwa will not ditch the sport as they get older. At just age 15, Danielle is already an Annual National Sports Award winner (Junior Sportswoman and Junior Sportsperson), a Gilberson and Page Trophy champion and participant at the World Championships.
Her training partner and best friend Emily (14) has won the Zimbabwe Junior Open, Zambia Open, Lesotho Ladies Open and Gilberson and Page Trophy titles.
Margaret (15) holds the record of being the youngest player to represent Zimbabwe at senior level; something she achieved five years ago.
It’s quite easy to fall in love with the trio’s narratives all the while forgetting the people that make it all possible – the parents.
“When people see our kids up on the podiums or making headlines very few care to think about the people behind the scenes, who made it all possible,” said Tawanda Nyamukondiwa, Margaret’s father.
“Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining, in fact I implore other parents to take as much interest in their children’s sporting interest as possible. Who knows you might end up nurturing the next Cristiano Ronaldo, Serena Williams or Usain Bolt.”
Illonka Bekker has a different take.
“As a family we are fortunately passionate about the game of golf, so nothing has ever felt like a burden,” she said. “Essentially the family diary revolves around Danielle’s golfing competition schedule and this has been the case for three years now.
“The results of our hard work and sacrifices have also been pleasing. We appreciate the golfer and person that Emily has developed into; she is very mature for her age and a charming young lady.” Illonka Bekker has also taken in Emily Jones, as she is her daughter’s best friend and favourite rival. Jones’s father, a former amateur golfer and her current coach, is a single father and does not want to take credit for Emily’s exploits on the course.
“As much I would like to take credit for her success, it’s been all her,” Geraint said. “Emily has also benefited from the fact that Zimbabwe currently has one of the best junior golf programmes, something I also went through myself.”
Zimbabwe’s three leading ladies of golf are in Morocco for the All-Africa Junior Championships, that ended yesterday. Despite a demanding schedule they found time to send some heartwarming messages to their parents – through Zimbabwe’s biggest newspaper.
“To my parents I would like say, thank you for the sacrifices and keep up the good work,” said Margret. “I know how hard my mum and dad work and to them I would like to say I appreciate all you have done for me and I love you,” said Danielle Bekker. “I love you Dad,” added Emily Jones.
