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Godfrey Nyakudya

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
LEADING mining equipment supplier Chaferfly Enterprises will once again be the major sponsor of the annual Hwange Open Golf Championship set for the first weekend of next month.Harare’s Robson Saurombe is the defending champion in the professionals section and is expected to put up a strong challenge in defence of his crown.

Vumi Moyo, the Hwange Golf Club captain, told Chronicle Sport that the course will be a hive of activity from October 3 to 5 with the Pro-Am set for the first day.

“Our dates have been confirmed. This time around  the Pro-Am participation is optional  for non championship division players,” said Moyo.

Championship division players are handicapped at plus to six.

“For those who will participate in the Pro-Ams, it will be their round One of their strokeplay,” said Moyo.

The golfers will compete over 54 holes starting on a Friday right up to Sunday. For the amateurs, there are four divisions in the men’s category, according to the players’ handcapp.

After the Championship Division, there is Division A for players handicapped seven to 12, Division B (13 to 18) and  Division C (19 to 24).
Moyo said there will be a slight variation for the women’s category with the division margins being subject to change depending on the number of entries per division.

There are three divisions for the ladies, the gold, silver and bronze divisions, all categorised according to handicapps as well.

Gold Division is for players handicapped between 0 to 18, silver (19 to 27) and bronze (28 to 36).

The captain said the greens and fairways were in an excellent condition with the course still maintaining its status as one of the most challenging but interesting courses to play in.

“Obviously our signature hole (hole 13), remains one of the course’s key point of attraction,” said Moyo.

Chaferfly Enterprises, as has been the norm in the last four years, will be the major partner of the Hwange Open that has been graced by legends like Nick Price, who won it in 1974.

Chaferfly Enterprises’ managing director Godfrey Nyakudya, whose company is slowly becoming a key figure in golf sponsorship in the country, confirmed his company’s presence at this year’s edition of the tournament.

“We have held meetings with the club’s chairman Victor Rakabopa and yes, we continue to partner Hwange Golf Open. This is a major golf event in the country,” said Nyakudya.

Other corporate bodies expected to lend their support include Care Insurance, Table Mining, Portnex among others.