admin
Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
A RECORD 145 entrants from across the world have so far confirmed their participation in the elite Golden Pilsner Zimbabwe Open golf championship set for next month at Royal Harare Golf Club.The tournament, bankrolled by Delta Beverages, will tee off from April 9 to 12.
According to Zambezi Tour, the road to Zimbabwe’s premier golfing event is already underway with the course to be closed on April 5 to allow for practice rounds, pre-qualifiers, two pro-am tournaments and the championships.
The annual open tournament was re-launched in 2010 and has grown from strength to strength over the past three years.
The defending champion, J’be Kruger who won the tournament for the second time since its re-introduction on a score of -18 last year, is largely expected to defend his title. The South African carded a 6-under-par 66 to finish on 18 under par.
Another golfer from across the Limpopo, Jacques Blaauw was second on 17 under par thanks to a 68 on the final day. Haydn Porteous also a South African struggled to a 73 in the final round to finish in third place.
Zimbabwe’s top golfers, Tongo Charamba, Scot Vincent, Brian Gondo who came second at the season ender last year, the Hwange Open, Phillip Tshuma as well as Ignatius Mketekete are all expected to give a good account of themselves this time around.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union’s Midlands golf championship will be held on April 11-12 at Gweru Golf Club under the strokeplay format.
Entries are already out with April 6 set as the deadline for registration.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter