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Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open entries officially closed
03 Apr 2013 at 07:55hrs | Views
ENTRIES for the R1,65 million Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open officially closed last week with a total of 133 golfers - including 20 Zimbabweans - entering the prestigious tournament set for Royal Harare Golf Club from April 18-21.
As expected, the field has a huge South African presence, providing 105 players and the number could increase after the pre-qualifying tournament to be held on April 14 at Chapman Golf Club, where more slots will be up for grabs.
The field size for the Zimbabwe Open will be 156 competitors. Reigning champion Chris Swanepoel leads the strong South African contingent which includes European Tour campaigner Hennie Otto, James Kamte and the 2011 Zimbabwe Open champion Theunis Spangenberg.
South African Trevor Fisher Jnr, who lost out in a playoff last year, will also be part of the field this year and goes into the Open in good form as he is sitting on ninth position on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit standings.
The local Golden Pilsener Zambezi Tour has 18 exempt players into the Open led by Ryan Cairns, who is the topplaced Zimbabwean golfer on the Sunshine Tour.
The Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open is also open to amateurs who are life, full or junior members of golf clubs affiliated to a union recognised by the Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA).
United States-based Zimbabwean amateur golfer Sean Crocker will take part in the Zimbabwe Open after receiving a special invite from the Zimbabwe Open Golf Committee.
The amateur quintet of Ben Follet-Smith, Christain Mbanga, Clive Nguru, Dale Howie and Biggie Chibvuri are currently the highest placed local amateurs of the ZGA Order of Merit standings and will use the tournament to prepare for the Zone VI Amateur Championships in Namibia from April 22-26.
A number of golfers from overseas are also set to be involved such as Englishman Neil Cheetham, Germany's Torben Baumann, Francesco Laporta from Italy and Americans Brandon Detweiler and Bryan Martin.
Players from Zambia, Swaziland and Kenya have entered the Zimbabwe Open which is also expected to witness the return of Zimbabwean-born players who have taken up South African citizenship such as the Bulawayo-born Mark Williams and Dean Burmester.
As expected, the field has a huge South African presence, providing 105 players and the number could increase after the pre-qualifying tournament to be held on April 14 at Chapman Golf Club, where more slots will be up for grabs.
The field size for the Zimbabwe Open will be 156 competitors. Reigning champion Chris Swanepoel leads the strong South African contingent which includes European Tour campaigner Hennie Otto, James Kamte and the 2011 Zimbabwe Open champion Theunis Spangenberg.
South African Trevor Fisher Jnr, who lost out in a playoff last year, will also be part of the field this year and goes into the Open in good form as he is sitting on ninth position on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit standings.
The local Golden Pilsener Zambezi Tour has 18 exempt players into the Open led by Ryan Cairns, who is the topplaced Zimbabwean golfer on the Sunshine Tour.
United States-based Zimbabwean amateur golfer Sean Crocker will take part in the Zimbabwe Open after receiving a special invite from the Zimbabwe Open Golf Committee.
The amateur quintet of Ben Follet-Smith, Christain Mbanga, Clive Nguru, Dale Howie and Biggie Chibvuri are currently the highest placed local amateurs of the ZGA Order of Merit standings and will use the tournament to prepare for the Zone VI Amateur Championships in Namibia from April 22-26.
A number of golfers from overseas are also set to be involved such as Englishman Neil Cheetham, Germany's Torben Baumann, Francesco Laporta from Italy and Americans Brandon Detweiler and Bryan Martin.
Players from Zambia, Swaziland and Kenya have entered the Zimbabwe Open which is also expected to witness the return of Zimbabwean-born players who have taken up South African citizenship such as the Bulawayo-born Mark Williams and Dean Burmester.
Source - newsday
