BULAWAYO Golf Club professional Brian Gondo was ecstatic after winning the Chaferfly Hwange Open Golf Tournament, his first, on Sunday.
REPORT BY SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER
Gondo, who won the event by one shot to finish on a gross score of 140 (4-under par), pocketed $3 600 in the process after taking a five-shot lead on Saturday getting six-under-par 66. In an interview with NewsDay Sport after winning the competition, Gondo said everything went according to plan.
“I was hitting the ball and putting very well. My putting put me through. It is an amazing feeling to win this competition. This is one place where one has to test their patience as well. I am very chaffed because I have come close to winning the competition in previous years, but I have finally done it,” said Gondo.
Nyasha Muyambo and Ignatius Mketekete were second on three- under par 141 receiving $2 070 in the process.
Seasoned golfer Tongoona Charamba, who was the defending champion and was a pre-tournament favourite, finished the competition on position five after carding a two-over-par 146. Chaferfly managing director Godfrey Nyakudya was impressed with how the whole tournament progressed.
“The competition went on very well and beyond expectation. There was so much excitement and everyone enjoyed themselves. It was an event worth every moment. We will keep on supporting and partnering Hwange Golf Club in holding this event,” he said.
The competition was played in cool conditions in the usually hot town of Hwange, where 33 golfers took to the greens in two rounds — 36 holes stroke play on Saturday and Sunday. Roy Da Costa was fourth having shot 75 on Saturday before finishing on three-under-par 69 on Sunday. Zambian professional Patrick Mwendapole finished eighth after getting a gross score of 147 (three under par).
