Harare Open tees off today

to take part this morning.
The tournament with a US$20 000 purse has attracted the country’s top professionals who will battle for the championship.
Golden Pilsner, who have the naming rights of the local Zambezi Tour, have come on board to sponsor the last tournament of the 2011 season.

The Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union and Zimbabwe Golf Association have however, finished their seasons but the male professionals have to wait a little longer.
Unlike at the Joshua Nkomo Memorial Classic where 10 top amateurs were invited this tournament has seven amateurs.

One of the amateurs who had a good outing at the JN Memorial finishing 14th Bernard Magaso, will be looking forward to a good outing again this time.
Magaso played well in the last tournament although he faltered at the last stages of the tournament he managed to finish 14th.
“I will try my best. I have been improving in every game and it is very good for us amateurs to play with professionals. Getting the better of some professionals gives you confidence and the game becomes enjoyable,” Magaso said.

But the smart money is on the professionals getting the top prizes.
Much of the focus will fall on the battle between the likes of Tongo Charamba, Robson Saurombe, Shane Pringle, Ignatius Mketekete, Lyford Yadyo, Peter Banda and Phillip Tshuma.

Mketekete who came fourth in the last tournament will be looking for nothing short of victory.
The golfer has dominated the Zambezi Tour, which has since taken over the running of the all-professional golf management board.

Another professional golfer Mark Cayeux who is in the country took time to watch the last tournament but ruled out an early return to the field.
Cayeux is still walking with the aid of crutches following his car accident in Mvuma last year but believes his injuries will not heal anytime soon.

“The doctors said the injuries were internal and I don’t think it will heal anytime soon. It is just good that I am seeing these guys play,” said Cayeux.
Cayeux was the country’s leading golfer at the time of his accident late last year.