ROBINSON KUNDA & CECILIA ZULU, Lusaka
THE Lusaka Golf Club Pro-Am , which is a prelude to the Zambia Sugar Open Golf Championship ,swings into action today with a field of 144 golfers.
Zambian golfers who struggled at the just-ended Mopani/Redpath Zambia Open Golf Championship in Kitwe have a chance to make amends.
Madalitso Muthiya, who was Zambia’s best performer at the tournament in Kitwe, will not be on the course.
Focus will be on the Zambia Sugar Open defending champion Lyle Rowe of South Africa, who last week fired an amazing six-under-par 66 to help his team  win the Mopani/Redpath Mining Pro-Am at Nkana Golf Club in Kitwe.
Rowe will lead a team of amateurs in tomorrow’s Pro- Am,which has been sponsored by Zambia Sugar Plc.
With the fairway and greens at Lusaka Golf Club in perfect condition, golfers will be thrilled as they swing their drivers and irons in a bid to collect the top prize.
Patrick Mwendapole, who had a poor performance in Kitwe with a disappointing seven over -79, will be the first professional golfer to tee at 06:50hours and will play with amateurs Zhou Jianjun, Allan Nyirenda and Wang Zhiqiang.
Dayne Moore will tee at the same time from the 10th tee with Yang Youming, Chola Oka and Adrian Chundama.
Italian golfer Francesco La Porta managed a one over at the Johannesburg Open Championship in February, will tee off at  07:20hours alongside Mayoor Patel and Ndela Sichizya while Bruce Chanda and Beza Daka will be the last professional golfers to tee for the first session at 8:20 hours.
As the second sessionsresumes at 11:00 hours, Tom Charamba’s team, comprising of amateurs Chris Simutowe, Bertie Serfontein and Tigger Foden will throng the course.
Other notables in today’s Pro-Am are SuperSport Southern Africa marketing manager Marlon Kananda, who will play alongside professional Francois Coetzee.
And Stanbic Bank yesterday donated K75, 000 towards the staging of the Zambia Sugar Open Golf Championship teeing off on Thursday.
Speaking at a cheque presentation ceremony in Lusaka, Stanbic Bank head of global markets Victor Chileshe said it is the bank’s desire to continue contributing to the growth of the sport.
Chileshe said the bank is overwhelmed with the support the tournament has continued receiving from the corporate world.
And organising committee chairperson Roy Penny said arrangements for the staging of the event have been finalised.
Meanwhile, Investrust Bank has donated US$10,000 towards the hosting of the Zambia Sugar Open Golf Championship.
Bank media and public relations manager Ackim Mwale said the financial institution is happy to be associated with the event, which is among the most prestigious tournaments in which local golfers participate.
Mwale said Investrust Bank Plc believes that its contribution will enhance popularisation of golf among Zambians as the Zambia Sugar Open Golf Championship draws participation from leading professionals from Africa and across the globe.