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Lovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
THE Charferfly Hwange Golf Open, which ended on Sunday after a gruelling three days in hostile weather conditions, has been described as a big success. Nine professional golfers from South Africa, one from Zambia and an amateur from Livingstone took part in a tournament that had Zimbabweans from all corners of the country taking part.
Impressed with the turnout and smooth running of the event, Charferfly director Godfrey Nyakudya assured golfers and Hwange that his company, the main sponsor of the event, would be back next year.
The pro-am event attracted 115 golfers with those in the paid ranks playing on the Zambezi Tour hoping to earn points towards the prestigious Sunshine Tour.
Charferfly also sponsor the Kamandama Memorial tournament held around June 6 every year in honour of the 472 people who perished in the 1972 mine disaster. It is the worst work related incident in Zimbabwe and since then safety has been a priority for most of the country’s mines.
“We are very happy that our sacrifice is playing a positive role in the development of golf and unity of people from within the Southern Africa region. To have had golfers from South Africa and Zambia taking part is an indication of the good job being done by the organisers Hwange Golf Club. The tournament had good international flair.
“In 2015 we will be back for an even bigger and better event. It was thrilling to see the tournament decided on a count out after Brian Gondo and winner in the professional ranks Musiwalo Nethunzwi forced a play off. The competition was stiff as Acy Zrf and Matron Mguni were also separated by a count out,” said Nyakudya.
Brian Gondo, who carded 71, 73, 73 for a gross score of 217, tied with Nethunzwi of South Africa 74,69, 74 (217).
He had good words about the event despite his first play off.
“The organisation was superb and the field competitive. I did what I had to do, my body let me down. I was not in my best health, I am not sure what I reacted to.
“As for the course it was good though the greens were tricky and the windy weather made putting a bit difficult,” said Gondo.
The Bulawayo Golf Club resident professional golfer said the golfing community liked to take part in the Hwange event.
“It’s one event we are excited to hear about. We know once a date is announced there will be no changes and that they live up to expectations in all respects. The quality of the field was good,” said Gondo.
Nethunzwi, who walked away with $3,000 for winning the professionals’ category first prize, was playing for the first time in the tournament.
“It was a good and well organised event comparable to any even back home in South Africa. I am impressed with the seriousness of the Zimbabwean golfers and officials. I really enjoyed my stay and I am coming next month for the Harare Open and hopefully next year I will come to defend my title,” said Nethunzwi.
Thabang Simon, who had a promising career as an amateur in South Africa, was among the event’s favourites but found the going tough. He carded 233 (73, 80, 80) to finish 23rd.
Despite his bad weekend on the course, the South African was also full of praise for the organisers.
“It was a very good tournament, the course was good save for the windy weather on rounds two and three, otherwise I look forward to Hwange in the future and I will be going to Harare for the Harare Open next month,” said Simon.
Resident Hwange professional Stephen Simukai, who was making his professional debut and pocketed $150 after posting scores of 75, 72 80, said the event was an eye opener.
“It was quite a big tournament, there is a big difference between amateur and professional golf. In the pro ranks there are rules that you have to abide by which are not in the amateur ranks.
“In the pro ranks there are things like etiquette as well. To have finished 14th is encouraging and I will work harder and play in more events. There were lots of golfers and we hope there could be more sponsors for more tournaments for us to play more and improve. The course was over subscribed.
“The windy conditions made one choose clubs and irons carefully as the weather dictated,” said Simukai.
Hwange Golf Club captain Vumi Moyo, who had a hectic week organising and running the event apart from playing too, has to be commended together with the Zambezi Tour’s Tendai Gwatiringa for the well co-ordinated and run event.
Charferfly headed a group of companies that made the event colourful and hugely successful.
Online Reporter