Hwange lady golfers eye victory

Golf

Fungai Muderere and Nkosilathi Sibanda in Hwange

THE Hwange Golf Open tees off today with players set to brave the punishing heat to complete the 18-hole course. About 140 golfers will tee off at the world acclaimed course that has produced some of the country’s top players. Among the 140 golfers are 40 professionals.

According to the Meteorological Services Department, temperatures in the coal mining town could surpass 40 °C over the weekend, making it a daunting task to cover 18 holes.

The tournament, whose main sponsor is the Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL), has maintained consistency in championing the growth of golf in Matabeleland North. The Pro-Am series will give a warm up to the greens, before setting pace for more contests tomorrow and Sunday.

Lady golfers in the coal mining town have vowed to take the lead in the opening stages of the course in a bid to keep the championship on home soil. Ably led by their captain Patience Utete, the lady golfers promised a weekend of good golf.

The 2015 Ladies’ Gold Division champion Acy Zerf returns to defend her title, but has to ward off competition from other women that will be eager to make the grade. One of the tournament regulars Charlotte Chibaya said she had prepared thoroughly for the event.

“The wait has been long. I have prepared well to play my best golf strokes. I know that other lady golfers have done their part too,” said Chibaya. HCCL corporate affairs manager Rugare Dhobbie said: “We are ready to welcome the mass of golfing talent to this year’s edition of the Hwange Golf Open.

I am pleased to advise that our team on the ground led by club captain, Morgan Gorerino, is busy with final preparations for the tournament which every year attracts top professional and amateur golfers from around the country and beyond. “The tournament gets underway with the pro-am tournament, a game where professionals and amateurs are given the opportunity to rub shoulders under the sweltering Hwange heat currently being experienced before the main event set for two days in the golfers’ respective divisions.”

Dhobbie said ever since HCCL committed to channelling resources into sport in Hwange, there had been a lot of interest to support the company in this endeavour from corporate partners.

“It is refreshing to note that the professionals are returning to the competition after missing out last year due to some sponsorship challenges. As HCCL, we are committed to supporting the growth of golf and other sport codes in the town,” she said.

Gorerino reckons the Hwange Golf Course greens are in a perfect condition for players to enjoy their game, as a lot of work had been done. “The golfers will love the feel of the greens. It is in immaculate condition that favours everyone,” Gorerino said.

Last year, amateurs such as Visitors Chapwanya of Chiredzi, Gweru’s Liberty Gumusa and Martin Masvimbo, Mayfred Sibanda (Bulawayo), Josphat Phiri (Elephant Hills) and Zambian Jefferson Phiri played some fantastic golf. Local golfers, Vumbu Ncube, Christian Lungu and Michael Phiri will be hoping experience of playing on the course gives them an advantage.   HCCL managing director Thomas Makore will also trade his suit for the golf shirt this weekend.

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