Zimbabwe will host some of the continent's finest golfers this week when the 2011 Africom Zim Open, the country's premier golfing event, tees off with a qualifying tournament at Chapman Golf Club in Harare on Tuesday. The main tournament, sponsored to the tune of US$500 000, starts at Royal Harare on Thursday and ends at the same venue on Sunday.
The news, reported by Bulawayo24 News, confirms that this year's Zim Open, the second since the tournament returned after a nine-year absence, is expected to be bigger and better than last year's successful comeback show.
A Tournament That Refuses to Die
Let the doubters take note. The Zim Open was first played in 1984 as part of the Safari Tour, a collection of African events contested by professionals based on the European Challenge Tour. Past winners include major golf stars like Vijay Singh and Nick Price, who, along with Mark McNulty, is the most successful player at the event, both men having recorded three victories. This year marks the 20th edition of the tournament.
That Zimbabwe can stage an event of this magnitude, on the prestigious Sunshine Tour circuit, is no small achievement. It is a direct rebuttal to those who wrote off the country during the difficult economic years. The return of the Zim Open to the Sunshine Tour is being used by Zimbabwean sports authorities as another example of the fact that life is slowly returning to normal after the complications of a harsh economic operating environment.
Local Companies Step Up
The sponsorship story is perhaps the most powerful part of this narrative. That a raft of Zimbabwean companies, led by the flagship sponsor Africom, could put together US$500 000 for a premier tournament is a demonstration of the financial strength of local firms and their commitment to the development of sport.
Africom, a converged network services provider, in partnership with Interfin, Zimplats, Econet and Delta Beverages, will bankroll the 2011 tournament. Africom chief executive Kwanayi Kashangura said the growth shown by the tournament has increased their confidence and sponsorship of the Zim Open. ZPGA President Ackil Yousef paid tribute to the sponsors for their confidence in the game.
The Golfzone website noted the significance of this corporate backing. 'This year, Zimbabwe Open Committee hopes to attract big names from the European Tour and beyond who would have just finished playing the Jo'burg Open in South Africa,' the site reported. The European Tour, whose schedule is tracked by DP World Tour listings, remains the benchmark circuit for professional golf, and Zimbabwe now sits squarely on that map.
All Qualifiers on Home Soil
There is a new and welcome dimension to this year's event. 'The positive, interesting and new dimension to the tournament is that all pre-qualifiers are likely to be held in Zimbabwe, and this effectively would mean a massive convergence of golfers from the region and beyond in Harare,' the Golfzone website reported. For the 2010 Africom Zimbabwe Open, pre-qualifiers were held separately in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Organisers confirmed the schedule in a statement. 'Pre-qualifying and ProAm events will start on Tuesday culminating in the final professional tournament from Thursday to Sunday,' they said.
Last Year's Comeback Set the Standard
Last year's comeback tournament, won by South Africa's Jbe' Kruger, was described as a resounding success story. 'April 2010 will surely and always be remembered as the month in which Zimbabwe regained its place in the golfing sunshine, thanks to title sponsor Africom, anchor sponsors Econet, Pilsener and Innscor, and key sponsors SAA and Zimplats,' the Golfzone website said.
For many local golf enthusiasts, it was the first chance to watch and interact with an assortment of top class golfers in one setting. Junior golfers had a rare opportunity to watch the masters at play and glean a few tricks from what they saw. A huge crowd of spectators of all ages followed the leading groups for the entire tournament.
'Such was the enthusiasm on the part of the fans that every entry on the tee box by a leading player sparked a huge buzz, you would have thought Tiger Woods was in town,' the Golfzone website reported.
Zimbabwe's golfing tradition runs deep, and the Zim Open sits alongside the continent's other celebrated events, including the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City, which Golf365 describes as Africa's Major. The growth of tournaments across the region, including initiatives like the Home of Golf Cup finals on the Garden Route reported by the George Herald, shows that African golf is on the rise, and Zimbabwe intends to remain at the heart of it.
What Happens Next
The qualifying rounds begin Tuesday at Chapman Golf Club, with the main tournament running Thursday through Sunday at Royal Harare. With a US$500 000 purse and a field drawing on players fresh from the Jo'burg Open, expectations are high that the 2011 edition will surpass last year's memorable return.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2011 Africom Zim Open?
The qualifying tournament takes place at Chapman Golf Club in Harare on Tuesday, and the main tournament runs from Thursday to Sunday at Royal Harare.
How much is the prize money?
The 2011 Africom Zim Open is sponsored to the tune of US$500 000, bankrolled by Africom together with Interfin, Zimplats, Econet and Delta Beverages.
Who are the most successful players in Zim Open history?
Nick Price and Mark McNulty share the record with three victories each, while past winners also include major golf star Vijay Singh.