adminTakudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
GARY Thompson and Stephen Simukai will make their professional debut in the Hwange Open, which tees off today at the Colliery. Thompson, of Royal Harare, and Simukai, who is based in Hwange, will join 41 other professionals for the US$15 000 purse golf tourney.
The two rookies will play on the Zambezi Tour for the first time as professionals after they spent several years in the amateur ranks.
Local professional golfers return to the battlefield after several months of inactivity.
The event, which is sanctioned by the Zambezi Tour, is sponsored by Hwange Colliery Company Limited and the Hwange Open Organising Committee.
The tournament will have a Pro-Am on the first day which will be followed by 54 holes of stroke play on Saturday and Sunday.
Registration closed on Monday.
Zambezi Tour marketing and communications director Tendai Gwatiringa said they were expecting a strong field.
South African golfers — John Bele, Patrick Tshabangu, Tebogo Sefatsa and Thabang Simon — will take part in the tourney.
Zambia’s Madalitso Muthiya has also registered for the event.
Robson Saurombe, the defending champion, has confirmed he will play in the Hwange Open.
Online Reporter