Hwange Open tees off

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Hwange Open golf tourney officially gets underway today with Stephen Simukai, Biggie Chibvuri and amateur David Du Preeze teeing off at 7AM in the Pro-Ams. Thirty-eight professional golfers from Zimbabwe and South Africa begin their quest for glory in round one of the three rounds whose final is on Sunday.

Today will see the professionals team up with amateurs to battle for various prizes from the elite category to B Division.

Last year’s runner-up in the elite division, John Milanzi, was drawn together with Tich Musemburi and Phillip Tshuma, who is also very familiar with the Hwange course having started his career on the fairway.

Milanzi will be hoping to better his 2014 score of 235, which saw him finishing second to Pride Sembo, who scored 236.

Seasoned amateur golfer Rabson Dumani was drawn with former Hwange Open winner Robson Saurombe, Rasheed Mahomeed and Dale Howie, while Hwange Golf Club captain Artwell Ndebele will take to the greens with Christian Lungu, Nyasha Muyambo and Bernard Magaso.Other amateur golfers taking part include Victor Rakabopa, Lucy Chikoti, Shelly Gwanonga and Victor Suerga.

Professionals will play over 54 holes using the stroke play format.

Hwange Colliery Company poured $15,000 in prize money for the Zambezi Tour’s prestigious tournament. The other Zambezi Tour event, the Econet Pro Challenge, was won by the United States-based Scott Vincent in his professional home debut in June.

2015 professional Golfer of the Year Tongo Charamba, Saurombe, Bulawayo’s Brian Gondo and defending champion Musiwalo Nethunzvi from South Africa are among the favourites.

Charamba claimed the big prize in 2011, Gondo in 2012 and Saurombe in 2013.