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Golfers test the Bulawayo Golf Club course after the rains

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
ONE of the biggest golf tournaments in the country, the Dugmore Trophy has tentatively been slotted for early March after being postponed from this weekend due to an unplayable Bulawayo Golf Club course.

It will now be held over the March 3-5 weekend.

The Zimbabwe Golf Association season opener is one of the 19 Zimbabwe Golf Association order of merit events, and normally attracts over 100 amateur golfers from across the country.

A disappointed Bulawayo Golf Club captain Kantilal Lalla said heavy rains that have pounded the city in recent days made it impossible for the course to be kept in shape for the tournament.  With a reputation to protect, it was agreed that the tournament be postponed until the greens are in perfect shape.

“Our tractor couldn’t get onto the field to cut the grass because it was quite wet, making it impossible to do a proper job. Bulawayo Golf Club is a big course and we couldn’t compromise on quality so we had to put the tournament on ice,” said Lalla.

Green keeper William Hodnett took advantage of a lull in rains to have the grass cut on Wednesday and Thursday. Although there was some shape, it was still not 100 percent ready to play host to such a big tournament.

Following the postponement of the traditional season opener, the Julius Robinson Trophy, set for Harare will now herald the start of the Zimbabwe golfing season on February 4-5.

It has previously been held at Wingate Golf Club.

The country’s oldest golf club, the Bulawayo Golf Club host the Matabeleland Nomads, its first event of the year on January 29 which will coincide with the interschool tournament.