The R&A has released a short film showing how community golf programmes in Zambia are giving children access to the sport, with leading amateur Michael Chuma’s journey at the centre of the story.
Created and produced by The R&A, the film was shot on location in Zambia and forms part of the organisation’s work to widen access to golf. It shows how community initiatives, club support and player pathways can provide safe places for young people and help develop players.
The project also features The R&A’s work with the Zambia Golf Union and its affiliated clubs. The partnerships aim to make golf more accessible to new and underrepresented players and support communities beyond the course.
Michael Chuma’s introduction to golf
Chuma grew up in Nkandabwe, an underserved community where golf was unfamiliar to many children and families. His first opportunity to try the sport came at 14 through a community programme at Nkana Golf Club, around five kilometres from his home.
“The first time I went to Nkana Golf Club, I was a bit scared,” Chuma said. “Then they gave us some food so I went almost every day.”
Nkana became a supportive environment where Chuma could learn the fundamentals and practise regularly. Access to equipment and continued support allowed him to develop a game that has since taken him into amateur tournaments across Africa and beyond.
“To see the ball flying in the sky… it was really nice I just wanted to get better,” Chuma said. “So I practised whenever I could.”
Chuma has won events in Dubai, Uganda, Ghana and Kenya, as well as tournaments in Zambia. He also finished tied 12th at The R&A’s Africa Amateur Championship in South Africa and has become one of the highest-ranked African players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
A pathway for African players
Chuma participates in The R&A’s Africa High Performance Programme, which was launched in 2022 with the International Golf Federation, the PGA of South Africa and Olympic Solidarity.
The programme provides structured coaching camps for promising young golfers. Sessions have been staged in Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, combining player development with support for national golf systems.
The R&A Foundation has also provided Chuma with opportunities and financial assistance to compete at national and international level. The foundation uses proceeds from The Open alongside philanthropic investment to support projects that widen access to golf and deliver social benefits.
Chuma now serves as a role model for children in Nkandabwe, where his route from a community programme to international amateur competition shows what an introduction to golf can lead to.
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Simon Bale
Simon Bale is the publisher of Golf Today. A low single-figure handicap golfer, he was previously a major shareholder and course reviewer for Top100GolfCourses.com for over a decade, starting in 2010. Through this role, he developed extensive knowledge of golf course design and architecture while playing more than 300 courses worldwide.