The Sunday News
Simba Jemwa, Sports Correspondent
UP to 180 professional and amateur golfers are expected to compete for US$30 000 in prize money at the Arenel Pro-Am Golf Tournament which tees off on Thursday and will run up to Saturday at the Bulawayo Golf Club.
The tournament format is medal for the pros and individual stableford for the amateurs. Speaking to Sunday Sport ahead of the event, tournament director and BGC pro, Brian Gondo revealed that US$20 000 has been set aside for the pros while US$10 000 has been set aside for the amateur golfers.
He said 120 amateur golfers and 60 pros are expected to participate in the event.
Gondo was upbeat ahead of the tournament.
“This tournament is putting Bulawayo on the map as most of these tournaments have always been played in Harare so obviously having regional players coming in and to a city with a rich heritage like Bulawayo is a plus for both the sport and the city.
This tournament means a lot for Zimbabwean golf as this is the 2nd biggest purse in the country after the Zimbabwe Open and we haven’t had such a big tournament in a while now. Our local players are really looking forward to it.
A tournament of this size hasn’t been played in Bulawayo for many years now. It also definitely gives game time to our players.
To be able to put up a prize fund that attracts players from the other countries definitely shows that the local game is on the way up.”
Gondo also said Bulawayo Golf Club has been ready for such an event for a long time now the new committee has put the golf course up to standard and the course can host any event adding that they were looking forward to hosting the Zimbabwe Open soon.
The country’s top pros who include local Philip Tshuma, Gondo while local ‘tourists’ like Akil Yousuf will lead the Harare charge on BGC’s pristine greens. — @RealSimbaJemwa
