ZIMBABWEAN golfer Visitor Mapwanya shot an impressive first day 5-under par 67 to share the league with Portuguese Stephen Ferreira in the Lowveld ProAm golf tournament, which teed off at the Hippo Valley Estates Golf Club yesterday.
The tournament, which is the second biggest in the tournament in terms of prize money, is taking place at two golf clubs, Hippo Valley Estates and Triangle.
Mapwanya managed a bogey free round which included five birdies, while Ferreira had one bogey on the 6th hole, but managed to cover it up with 6 birdies
This year, the event coincides with the 70th Anniversary celebrations of the Hippo Valley Estates.
And fittingly, the event attracted some of the country’s top golfers including Stuart Krog, who won the Mopani Zambia Open title barely a fortnight ago.
Krog had a good first round after he managed 4-under par 68 to tie for third place along with compatriot Nyasha Muyambo and Zambian Sydney Wemba.
“I hit the ball really well today. The greens aren’t quite what I’m accustomed to, so I just knew if the ball striking was there, we could stay patient. We did that all day, we didn’t make very many putts, but I think we hit 16 greens out there. I played well,” Krog said.
“It’s always nice to be home. I’m a little tired from the last two weeks in Zambia, with everything that’s happened there.
“A bit of lack of sleep, a bit of sickness, but nothing beats competitive golf, so I may as well come out and play some golf.
“It’s nice to have that relief and that freedom that I’ve managed to earn myself. I just came out today and was trying to keep the momentum going from what I’ve built over the last couple of weeks and a couple of months before that.”
He added: “We seem to have done that so far today. I also want to just say happy 70th anniversary to Hippo Valley Estates and thanks for hosting us out here.”
Young Zimbabwean golfer Darlington Chikanyambidze finished the day on a sole 6th on 3-under par, while Robson Chinhoi, Ignatius Mketekete and Simon Katembenuka tied for 7th.
Vincent Chidambazina, who has won three tournaments on the amateur circuit, was the highest placed amateur on 1 over par and a tie for 21st.
The youngest golfer in the field, 14-year-old Nathaniel Zidya, finished the day on 6 over par, while the only woman in the competition Claire Minter was on 8 over.
