Opening Golf to the World
R&A Foundation
New R&A film highlights life-changing impact of golf in Zambia as part of Opening Golf to the World commitment
14 Jul 26
8 mins
The R&A has released a new short film showcasing how golf is changing lives in Zambia, reflecting its purpose of opening golf to the world and its commitment to helping more people experience the sport and the positive impact it can have on lives and communities.
Created and produced by The R&A, the film explores how golf is creating opportunities for young people, strengthening communities and demonstrating how, together with its partners, The R&A is helping to create not only good for golf, but good through golf. Filmed on location in Zambia, where golf continues to grow, the feature showcases how community programmes, grassroots initiatives and player pathways are helping to inspire the next generation and open doors for children who may never otherwise have had the chance to experience the sport. The film highlights how these opportunities are broadening access to golf, providing safe spaces for children to learn and thrive, and reinforcing The R&A's commitment to growing the sport and developing future talent around the world. At the heart of the film is Michael Chuma, whose remarkable journey from an underserved community in Zambia to becoming one of Africa's leading amateur golfers illustrates the life-changing opportunities golf can provide. Michael grew up in Nkandabwe, a compound where children and their families face significant daily challenges, and where golf was a completely unfamiliar and unimaginable sport. His introduction to the sport came by chance, at the age of 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," Michael said. "Then they gave us some food so I went almost every day." The club quickly became a place of opportunity and belonging, providing a positive environment where Michael and his peers discovered a passion for golf and began learning the fundamentals of the sport. "To see the ball flying in the sky… it was really nice I just wanted to get better," Michael explained. "So I practised whenever I could."R&A Foundation
Life Changing Impact of Golf in Zambia
13 Jul 26
2.00 min
With regular support and access to equipment, his natural talent thrived, taking him from learning the basics of the sport to winning amateur events across Africa and beyond.
"I have won in Dubai, in Uganda, Ghana in Kenya, almost every tournament here in Zambia," Michael said.
Michael recorded an impressive tied-12th finish at The R&A's Africa Amateur Championship in South Africa and has risen to become one of the highest-ranked African players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®).
Michael is also a participant of The R&A's Africa High Performance Programme, launched in 2022 in partnership with the International Golf Federation, the PGA of South Africa and Olympic Solidarity.
The programme supports Africa's most promising young golfers through a structured pathway featuring high-performance coaching camps hosted in countries including Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Designed to develop elite talent while strengthening national golf systems, the programme is helping create sustainable opportunities for future generations of players across the continent.
Support from The R&A Foundation has played an important role in Michael's journey, providing opportunities and financial assistance to help him compete at national and international level. The R&A Foundation combines proceeds from The Open with philanthropic investment to support projects around the world that broaden access to golf, create opportunities for more people to experience the sport and deliver positive social impact through golf.
Michael's journey demonstrates the impact community golf programmes can have in creating opportunities for young people who may otherwise never have discovered the sport. From his first introduction to golf, he was given a safe and supportive environment to learn, grow and build confidence.
As Michael continues his own journey, he is inspiring young people in his community to believe that golf can change lives and now serves as a powerful role model to other children in Nkandabwe.
The film also reflects the ambitions set out in The R&A's global strategy to open golf to the world by working with partners, including the Zambia Golf Union and their affiliated clubs, to make the sport more inclusive and welcoming, creating opportunities for new and underrepresented audiences, and delivering a lasting positive impact in communities.