adminTakudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
ROYAL Harare is ready to host the Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open this week — the most prestigious golf tournament in the country.
The tournament tees off this morning with the pre-qualifiers which will see 10 more players joining the final field on Thursday when it roars off on the same day as the iconic Masters at Augusta National in the United States.
The pre-qualifying round will have several locals trying to make the grade.
Royal Harare general manager, Ian Mathieson, said the course was in superb condition and ready for the prestigious event.
“We’re prepared to host the event and it’s an honour to host the event again this year,” said Mathieson.
“We’ve been preparing for the event for a while and I believe the players will once again experience the course at its very best.
“The course staff start work at 3am during the four official days of play.
“They will mow fairways and greens, fill divots, sweep bunkers, place the pin flags according to the instructions from the Tournament Director, deliver water and deploy rubbish bins before official play begins every day.”
The Zimbabwe Open used to switch venues between Royal Harare and Chapman but, since its return to the Sunshine Tour calendar, it has found a permanent home at Royal Harare.
The locals were given 19 slots which came from the order of merit after tournaments from the Zambezi Tour.
Last year young David Amm made history when he managed to qualify for the event at Chapman and the then 14-year-old took part in the Zimbabwe Open through pre-qualifying.
This year’s event is likely to see players like Clive Nguru, who was a junior last year, fight for a place.
Nguru will not be alone in the hunt as Laiford Yadyo, Peter Banda, Phillip Tshuma and Ryan Lang will be in the pack of hunters.
Gary Todd from the Sunshine Tour did a course inspection on February 11 and was impressed.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter