THE Zambia Golf Union (ZGU) council yesterday unanimously resolved to start punishing clubs that stage parallel events when there is a sanctioned union tournament, slapping a K2 million fine to the defaulters.

During their annual general meeting (AGM) at Kabwe Golf Club yesterday, the council agreed that further disciplinary action will be meted out on the captain of the defaulting club and also resolved that no-show golfers at ZGU tournaments will, apart from being fined, also be hit with a month-long ban from all golfing activities.

ZGU president, Charles Mwanza, in his address to the council, said there was need to put deterrent measures to stop clubs from hosting fundraising events when another club in the region was staging a sanctioned golf tournament.

Mwanza had proposed a K5 million fine but the ZGU council unanimously settled for K2 million after a counter-proposal by Nchanga Golf Club who felt most clubs could not afford to raise K5 million.

"This issue has been discussed, but we still find ourselves with the same problem. The penalty fee plus disciplinary action against the captain for the defaulting club should be applied. This will assist curb the vice. We need to support each other if we are to succeed," he said.

On the no-shows, Mwanza said the trend was disturbing the host clubs and needed to be controlled by suspending the perpetrators.

Besides the K50, 000 fine, the no-shows needed to be banned for a while as a deterrent measure.

Mwanza said golfers who were intending to withdraw their participation should communicate to the host club before the event if they were to escape sanctions.

The ZGU AGM, which was preceded with the traditional Levy Patrick Mwanawasa Trophy, was attended by several representatives from affiliate members.