adminThe tournament will be the first major national junior tournament on the Zimbabwe Junior Golf Union 2012 calendar.
The Wingate Park and Golf Club-based golfer, Smith, is also hopeful that he can stand up to the challenge.
Smith, who was part of the golfers who took part in a junior tournament at Royal Harare yesterday, believes he has a good chance of winning the Ray Stracker title.
“I think I will try my best . . . There are a lot of good golfers but I will (try to) play my best game.
“It is everyone’s intention to go out and win a major tournament and that is what I will be hoping for.
“I am having some decent scores during practice and I think I will manage to maintain that form.
“I cannot say I have a major area which I should work on but for me, my driver need to improve slightly.
“I hope the game will bring all the competition which is popular in junior golf ranks,” Smith said.
The exclusion of defending champion Sheldon Steyne, who is ineligible for this tournament, will open up avenues for other potential golfers who are still below the age of 18.
Steyne was ruled out of the tournament because he is now over the age limit of the competition. Smith will, however, not have a stroll in the park in the tournament as there are other good golfers who are likely to give him some stiff competition.
Kayman Mandhu, who is having a good game, is also a good bet to this tournament, which is considered in the order of merit points.
A junior golfers’ development side, which took part in the tri-nations against Zambia and Malawi, will also be in contention.
Seth Greenwood, Eugene Nguru, Jeff Chitando, Gerald “Zilo” Shwabane, Thembelani Vundla, Chengetai Chikwari and Mbongemi Maphosa will add flavour to the field.
Ray Stracker is an annual junior tournament, which is on the national calendar and is considered on the Order of Merit points.
leeroy