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Zimpapers Sports Hub
TOP professional golfer Bernard Magaso is confident of doing well at the inaugural Munhumutapa Pro-Am golf tournament that tees off this morning at Bulawayo Country Club.
Magaso, who has been away from the game for two years, says he is looking forward to the U$50,000 purse four-day tournament.
The Royal Harare-based professional, who was part of the official opening of the Hills Driving range on Friday, said he is ready for the challenge and is looking forward to at least a top ten finish.
“I am happy that I am coming back to competitive golf and I look forward to the President’s Cup. I have been away for close to two years and I am now back.
“I will try my best. I have been improving in every game and it is very good for us professionals to play competitively with some amateurs. Getting the better of some top professionals will give me the much-needed confidence as I return from obscurity.
“I had some family commitments and did not play actively for the past two years, but I have managed to pick myself up this year. I managed to play in the Kwekwe Invitational and the National Aids Council Golf Championships,” said Magaso.
The top athlete who turned professional in 2012 after representing the country in the amateur ranks also hailed the Hills Golf Club driving range, which was officially opened on Friday.
“I am very impressed with the top-class driving range and I am hoping that they will make this a little longer as I generally like to hit balls over well over 400 metres.”
“Most driving ranges around the world are actually a little too short, so I would like to see a good, long driving range which gives golfers the freedom to hit their drivers as far as they need to.
“All I can say is this is a state-of-the-art. I’ve played a few courses in Africa, around the world, South Africa, and I can definitely tell you this is fine,” added Magaso.
The same sentiments were also echoed by Zimbabwe Professional Golfers Association vice president Nyasha Muyambo, who will also be part of this morning’s first round at Bulawayo Country Club.
Muyambo, who has travelled a lot representing the country from junior, amateur and now a fully-fledged professional, said he is happy to see local players getting game time.
“The President Cup is one of the biggest tournaments with a package of US$50,000 and I believe there will be a lot of competition within the professional ranks.
“We have been having some good competitions and I look forward to the game,” said Muyambo.
Online Reporter