Takudzwa Chitsiga Harare Bureau
AFTER enduring several years playing second fiddle to their counterparts from South Africa, local professional golfers feel that it is high time one of them wins the Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open tournament which tees off at Royal Harare this morning.
The tournament returned to the local calendar some six years ago and all along it was the South Africans who have dominated in all the events.
Top Zimbabwean golfers Ryan Cairns, Brian Gondo and Tongo Charamba said it was high time a local guy won the tournament which was last won by Nick Price on home soil way back in 1998.
Cairns has been playing in South Africa and said he is prepared for this year’s edition after he recovered from a wrist injury.
“I had a good round on Tuesday during practice and I’m feeling good. I was playing in South Africa which gave me an opportunity to fine-tune myself for this tournament.
“After yesterday’s pro-am I felt that all’s well and I’m raring to go. The course is in perfect condition and I enjoyed playing it so I’m looking forward to a great week ahead,” said Cairns.
Turning to the possibility of seeing a local player going to the podium on Sunday, Cairns said it was only a matter of time.
“We’ve equally good players here who can do well at such a big tournament and that was proved by some of the guys who’ve won some Sunshine Tour tournaments in the past.
“I think it’s not that the South Africans are superior but it’s a case of numbers and exposure. We’ll be having 30 locals and the rest of the field will be South Africans and that sums it all. The other thing is exposure as well. If you compare, in the 365 days a year, they’ve many competitions while some of the local guys will only wait for this tournament.
“But I believe this year we’ll have a local guy on the podium,” Cairns said.
Gondo, who has been trying his luck in South Africa for the past three months, said he had been working hard and coming to the Zimbabwe Open should prove how much effort he has been putting in.
“I’ve been across South Africa for the past couple of months now and I’m looking forward to this tournament. I’ve worked hard preparing for it.
“The course is playing well and if it continues like this, we’re likely to see several of our guys in the top 10 this time around. When I played I felt that everything was well and I hope it’ll be the same in the next couple of days.
“There’s a big possibility that a local player can now win the tournament considering the number of players taking part in the Sunshine Tour recently. Several players are high in confidence and looking forward to a good week,” Gondo said.
Charamba, who has three Sunshine Tour events to his credit, also believes it’s high time a local player won the event.
“I’ve done much ahead of the event and I hope to do well and make the cut after the opening two rounds,” Charamba said.