AFTER managing to make the cut at the Barclays Kenya Open at the weekend, seasoned professional golfer Tongo Charamba returns to the local circuit after entering the Zambezi Tour Players’ Championship set for Wingate Golf Club on Friday and Saturday.
DANIEL NHAKANISO SPORTS REPORTER
Charamba finished in a tie for 60th position at the European Challenge Tour co-sanctioned Barclays Kenya Open at the Karen Country Club in Nairobi.
The two-time winner on the Sunshine Tour will be hoping for a stronger display on home soil when he defends the Zambezi Tour Players’ Championship.
In a statement yesterday, Zambezi Tour marketing and communications director Tendayi Gwatiringa said they had received a total of 47 entries for the 2014 Tour Players’ Championship.
Locally-based professional golfers dominate the entries and will all be hoping to find form and get in a competitive mindset ahead of next month’s Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open.
“We have received a total of 47 entries for the 2014 Tour Players’ Championship of which three are coming from South Africa namely Mark Williams, Irvin Mazibuko and Thabang Simon — all members of the Sunshine Tour.
“Local players currently playing on the Sunshine Tour like Ryan Cairns, Mick Hough and Greg Bentley have entered while there are two entries form Zambia, Madalitso Muthiya and Patrick Mwendapole. From our local boys, it is pleasing to report that all our top players have entered,” Gwatiringa said.
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In the inaugural event, seasoned golfer Charamba sunk a birdie on the first play-off hole to beat his rival Ignatius Mketekete at the Harare Country Club.
Charamba together with South Africa-based local professional Ryan Cairns will headline a strong field which has attracted 47 entries which includes two Zambians and three South Africans.
Bulawayo-born Mark Williams, who now competes under the South African flag, will also be a serious contender although he has been struggling for form lately.
Williams, who won the Zambezi Tour’s Open Classic tournament at the same course last year, has had a disappointing season thus far, missing the cut in three of the four tournaments he has taken part in on the Sunshine Tour.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s leading professional golfer Brendon de Jongé has postponed planned scan on his injured rib and looks set to be in this week’s Valspar Championship.
De Jongé refused to withdraw at the Honda Classic two weeks ago despite a rib injury that prompted a weekend fade.
Instead of sitting out a week, he tied for 54th at the lucrative World Golf Championships Cadillac tournament.
