ZPGA hails NAC for ProAM golf tourney

Source: The Zimbabwe Independent
Author: Desmond Chingarande

Zimbabwe Professional Golf Association (ZPGA) Akil Yousuf has expressed delight following the successful staging of the eighth edition of the NAC HIV and Cancer Drive ProAm which took place at Royal Harare Golf Club last week.

At least 72 professional golfers competed in the event and eight of them were from outside the country while there were also three female professional golfers.

It was the second big tournament for professional golfers in the country in a space of two week following the return of the Tongaat Hulett Lowveld ProAm which was held at Triangle and Hippo Valley Golf Clubs at the beginning of the month.

Visitor Mapwanya won the NAC ProAm after a playoff while David Amm was the champion in the Lowveld event.

Yousuf believes the increase in the number of well sponsored competitions such as the NAC ProAm has helped improve the level of competition by the local golfers.

"The event (NAC ProAM) has been fantastic and this year's prize is quite big and goes a long way for our professional golfers. It is testament to the way they played because 8-under over three days, on a championship golf course shows the commitment by the players but also our sponsors and we are grateful to them," he said.

"And as I mentioned they have partnered with the Sunshine Tour so that the winner of this tournament gets an invitation to play at the Players Championship in South Africa next week," Akil said.

NAC reportedly poured US$50 000 in the tournament prize fund and the Lowveld ProAm had a US$60 000 prize fund.

"We as professional golfers this is our job and without the benevolence of our sponsors, we cannot play the game. So, my administration, we have made it our focus to source for more tournaments and give the guys the chance to play their best. Coming up in April we have a few more tournaments which will prepare the guys for the Zim Open so we have a busy schedule," he said.

Newavakash were main sponsors for the NAC HIV and Cancer Drive ProAm alongside CBZ, Old Mutual, AFC and POSB among others.