ROBINSON KUNDA, Lusaka Golf Club
PROFESSIONAL and amateur golfers had a feel of the course at Lusaka Golf Club when they competed in the Chivas Pro-Am ahead of the Zambia Sugar Open teeing off tomorrow.
The Chivas Pro-Am is one of the two tournaments that precede the Zambia Sugar Open Championship.
The Zambia Sugar Pro-Am that will be played today is the last practising event for the golfers.
The Chivas Pro-Am was highly contested with a team led by professional golfer Toto Thimba of Zimbabwe leading by press time.
Thimba’s team, which had Noel Nkoma, Sue McManus and Alfred Thamba as amateurs, amassed 98 points.
The other team, led by professional golfer Ryan Tipping, brought 91 points to claim the second slot by press time.
Jean Hugo’s team, which also had Marcus Achiume and Richard Maritz as amateurs, had 88 points to sit in the third place.
About 10 teams were still on the course by press time.
Meanwhile, Madalitso Muthiya believes yesterday’s Pro-Am/golf clinic at Mazabuka Golf Club will have a ripple effect to junior golf, BENEDICT TEMBO reports.
Speaking after participating in the 18-hole event, Muthiya said the juniors who participated in the tournament will benefit from the experience of playing with professionals.
The tournament, which featured 15 professionals, 25 juniors and 20 senior amateurs, was a team event.
Apart from Muthiya, other notable professionals who participated in the mini Pro-Am were 2015 Zambia Open winner Vaughn Groenewald and Justin Harding, the 2012 winner.
Others were the 2011 and 2008 champions Doug McGvigan and Tyrone Terreira, respectively.