Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AS had been predicted, the final round of the NetOne President’s Cup for professional golfers would be a three-horse race and David Amm lived up to the billing when he shot a five under par final score to clinch the US$5 600 first prize at Bulawayo Country Club yesterday.
Going into the final day, Amm was tied on 136 with Darlington Chikanyambize and Michael Wallace.
Amm posted scores of 69 in the first day and 67 on the following two days as consistency and brilliant golfing won over in a field that had some of the best Zimbabwean golfers with a wealth of experience and exposure.
Some of the participants have played in the competitive Sunshine Tour whole others have done well in the West African Tours adding points onto their professional golfers’ campaigns and earning on the road.
He ended the tournament with a minus 13 of 203.
Second day good performers Chikanyambize and Wallace were joined on second spot by local order pf merit leaders Robson Chinhoyi who overcame a first day disastrous performance to tally 204 and take home prizemoney of US$2 625.
It is the same amount that Chikanyambize and Wallace pocketed.
Chikanyambize started with a score of 70 on Monday improved on the second day with a six under par 66 before ending the tournament with a score of 204.
Wallace on his part had three under par on Monday, minus five on the second day and four under par on the final day for his 204.
Chinhoi survived a first day poor show in which he had a positive score of plus one (73), he showed that he was back on the second playing a superb minus seven that had tournament co-ordinator Edgar Mashingaidze remarking that the leaders are now in danger.
“His comeback leaves him very dangerous to the leaders,” said Mashingaidze.
Clive Nguru claimed fifth spot with scores of 67, 70 and 69 to pocket a cool US$1 400 for his fifth spot.
Yolanda Mubaiwa was the best performing lady on the tour after tallying (71,75, 70) 216 and for her efforts she took home US$906. She was 14th overall.
Claire Minter the other female participant among the professionals, finished 23rd with 222 with US$703 paid for her troubles.
“I did not play so well. I finished 14th overall, its fair though,” said Mubaiwa.
Thamsanqa Luphahla of NetOne described the professionals’ event as exciting and said all had worked out fine for a good tournament.
The President’s Cup was launched last year as an event for amateurs but this year professionals and juniors were added on.
“We celebrate the finest talent that we have seen in the country. Forty-eight professional golfers teed off on Monday.
“Today is the third day we are seeing professionals and juniors showing off incredible talent, we have David Amm and Wallace topping the tournament and then Yolanda Mubaiwa is the best placed woman at number 14, she is showing off incredible talent.
“We celebrate the enduring the enduring legacy of our President Mnangagwa, we celebrate wellness and we also celebrate Independence,” said Luphahla.
Amateurs and professionals will take to the tee boxes this morning to wrap up what have been four exciting days of local golf.
dyton mupawaenda