2024 FBC Zimbabwe Open tees off

THE wait is finally over as the eagerly anticipated 2024 FBC Zimbabwe Open tees off today at the magnificent Royal Harare Golf Club. Over 140 golfers are expected to take to the greens for the Sunshine Tour rated event.

The commencement of the main event comes after the completion of the Qualifiers and the Pro-Am events. As per tradition, the official course handover ceremony was held on Monday.

Tendai Gwatiringa, captain of the Royal Harare Golf Club, handed over the reins to Livingstone Gwata, Chairman of the Zimbabwe Open Committee in what marked the official commencement of what promises to be an exhilarating tournament.

The calibre of golfers participating at the event is set to make it a more enthralling event.
From the field of 144, there are 35 Zimbabweans who will look to fight hard for the coveted silverware to stay on Zimbabwean soil for the first time in years.

Some of the players leading the Zimbabwean contingent will be the Vincent brothers, Scott and Kieran who are playing in the multi-million LIV Golf Tour. The 2023 Zanaco Masters, Robson Chinhoi as well as Asian Tour and Sunshine Tour campaigners, Ben Follet-Smith and Stuart Krog.

Boasting of a strong contingent, it has increased the chances of a Zimbabwean winner at this year’s event. Defending champion, Neil Schietekat from South Africa will be hoping to defend his title with the likes of Albert Venter (2022 champion), JC Ritchie (2017 champion) and Jobe Krugger (2014 champion) among others, also coming in.

However, the Zimbabwe Open does not only offer the platform to established golfers but also a chance to amateurs to showcase themselves.Three Zimbabwe teenage golfers Keegan Shutt, Tanaka Chatora and Matthew Bramford are also set to compete at the Zimbabwe Open Championship.

The trio qualified for the event through the amateur entry, which also saw other young Zimbabwean golfers Lloyd Dube from Gweru and Innocent Mukumba also making it and have the chance to learn from some of the finest players.

This year’s edition will see several world-class players like 2011 winner Darren Fitchard featuring alongside his son Devon, who finished fifth at the recently held First Capital Junior Championships at the weekend.

The Fitchards will have full exemptions at the tournament with Darren being a five-time Sunshine Tour winner, who is also playing in the DP World Tour formerly European Tour.

As the stage is set and anticipation reaches a fever pitch, all eyes turn to the greens of the Royal Harare Golf Club, where legends will be made, dreams will be chased and the spirit of golf will reign supreme.
The 2024 FBC Zimbabwe Open is underway and the world of golf awaits with bated breath to witness the unfolding drama and glory on the fairways. — @brandon_malvin