THE FBC Zimbabwe Open teed off at Royal Harare Golf Club yesterday with Sunshine Tour tournament director Gary Todd hailing the championship as “the best week on Tour”, underlining the growing stature of Zimbabwe’s flagship golf event.
A strong field of 144 golfers from at least 18 countries has assembled for the US$200 000 tournament, one of the Sunshine Tour’s key early-season events and among the continent’s richest prizes.
Backed by title sponsors FBC Holdings, the tournament continues to attract international attention, with organisers banking on world-class competition and strong corporate support to further elevate its profile.
Todd said the Zimbabwe Open had earned a special place on the Sunshine Tour calendar because of the atmosphere created by local organisers and golf fans.
“In South Africa, we call the Zimbabwe Open ‘the best week on Tour’. This is the most fun week for the golfers — they love the golf course, the people of Harare come to support the event and they also host the players,” Todd said.
“It’s just a magnificent event and it’s all thanks to all the sponsors. On behalf of the Sunshine Tour, I can’t thank you enough for all that you have done.”
He also praised the work done behind the scenes by Zimbabwe Open Committee chairperson Livingstone Gwata and tournament director Mike Mahachi in sustaining the event’s reputation.
“It’s been 15 or 16 years since we relaunched and it has been fantastic,” Todd said.
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South African golfers have dominated the tournament in recent years, winning 12 editions since 2010 before Mexican golfer Luis Carrera ended the streak last year.
Zimbabwe’s leading hope this year rests with Kieran Vincent, who is determined to bring the title back home.
“I remember being 14 or 15 years old. The first time I ever played it. It was the biggest highlight of my career at that stage. That hasn’t really changed since,” Vincent said. “Being able to come back and play in your National Open, it’s always fun to have fans that are cheering for you. Hopefully, the fans come out and cheer along so it can make it a good week.”
Gwata said the tournament was not only about elite competition, but also about inspiring the next generation of Zimbabwean golfers.
“Our mandate is to stage this national event to showcase golf being played at world-class level, with the sincere hope that this will inspire our up-and-coming young golfers to attain the highest level in the sport,” Gwata said.
This year’s edition has attracted increased corporate backing, with Caledonia Mining Corporation joining Zimre Holdings as associate sponsors.
Caledonia plans to use the tournament’s international exposure to market Zimbabwe as an investment destination.
The event is also supported by anchor sponsors Golden Pilsener and Tongaat Hulett, alongside partners that include Cimas, Varichem, Liquid Technologies and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
As the opening round got underway yesterday, local golfers Stuart Krog and Robson Chinhoi joined Vincent in the hunt for a home triumph and another memorable chapter in the history of the Zimbabwe Open.
