ZGA disappointed at Hwange Open postponement

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Golf Association has expressed disappointment over the last-minute postponement of one of the biggest golfing tournaments on the local calendar, the Hwange Open, which should have been held on Friday last week.

Although no reasons were proffered for the postponement, sources told Chronicle Sport that the event clashed with the equally important Mine Entra Exhibition held at ZITF in Bulawayo last week and Hwange, being the major sponsors of the golf tournament, is one of the biggest mining companies in the region and could not have missed the mining exhibition.

“Naturally the association is not happy with the postponement of the Hwange Open at this late hour as it inconveniences a lot of stakeholders who had already made plans to attend the tournament. The ideal situation is that all the tournaments on our national calendar are held on dates that will be published. However, as an association we are also aware that the Colliery is facing a number of challenges and the whole situation was beyond their control. Up to the last minute they were making all possible efforts to ensure the tournament was played,” said ZGA president Mufaro Chivonivoni.

Hwange Open, which was first played in 1960, has been one of the most well attended and funded golfing events in the country, with former world number one ranked player Nick Price of Zimbabwe having previously taken part in the tournament.

“For years Hwange Open has been one of the major tournaments of the year and in particular for the Matabeleland region. It is our hope that going forward the situation will improve adequately to enable the tournament to reclaim its status as one of the top tournaments in the country,” said Chivonivoni.

Mutare-based Robson Chinoi is the defending champion, while other previous winners of the tournament include Tongoona Charamba, Brian Gondo and television personality Gary Thompson. Nethunzwi Musiwalo of South Africa is the only foreigner in recent years to have won the event in 2014.