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the US$12 000 tourney.
The sponsors, Hwange Colliery Company, have increased the stakes this year after having poured in US$10 000 for last year’s event.
A field of 160 golfers is expected to converge on the mining town for the fourth professional Open tournament of the year since the Golden Pilsiner Zambezi Tour came on board.

Hwange Colliery Company is one of the corporates who have pledged to continue sponsoring local professional golf.
The two-day 36-holes tournament will see top professionals battling it out for honours.
The tournament is expected to draw foreign players after two Zambians took part in the last tourney.

Leading professional Tongoona Charamba, returning from an ankle injury, will be hoping for a change of fortunes this morning.
The tournament has also attracted 120 amateurs for a Pro-Am field tomorrow.
Charamba has not won a tournament this season and badly needs a victory.

He played with an injury at the Open Classic where he came sixth. “I think the game will be competitive, as usual, but I will always try my best,” said Charamba.
“There are a lot of good golfers and I will give it a chance.
“The injury has healed although it was minor and I can say I am fit for the game.”

Charamba will face stiff competition from seasoned campaigner Ignatius Mketekete.
Mketekete is the Hwange Open defending champion and is in good form that enabled him to win the first edition of NetOne series in Bulawayo.

Phillip Tshuma, who is having a dream season, is also in contention.
Tshuma will be playing on the course where his career started and will be backing on home advantage as he has retreated to his roots after a stint in Bulawayo.

Robson Saurombe will also fancy his chances in a field that will feature young players like Laiford Yadyo, who is improving with each passing game, Roger Jack, Trynos Muradzikwa and Mairosi Katembenuka.