CHAPMAN Golf Club professional Pride Sembo battled against the scorching heat and windy conditions on the final day and one of the most challenging course layouts in the country to clinch a one-shot victory at the Bindura Pro-am played at the revamped Bindura Golf Club on Sunday.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
The 23-year-old former national amateur team player started the final round three shots behind overnight leader Brian Gondo (71) after a difficult opening round of 74 on Saturday.
Sembo, however, produced his best on Sunday, carding a one-under-par round of 71 that took him one-over-par 145 for a one-shot victory over Gondo, who closed with a three-over-par round of 75.
The future looks bright for the former Norton Country Club member, who managed his maiden win on the local circuit a few months after turning professional in August at Harare Country Club.
His recent victory will go a long way in helping him stand up to seasoned professionals on the local tour, before venturing on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa.
“I played well today. I was feeling confident because when I came for the practice round on Friday, I was hitting the ball so well,” Sembo told NewsDay Sport soon after his victory.
“I knew if a managed to shoot under par I would have a good chance of winning because the conditions were tough because of the extreme heat and wind towards the end of the final round,” he said.
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Wingate Golf Club professional Farai Chitengwa carded a 75 to finish tied for the third spot with seasoned professional Julius Kamalizeni on five-over-par 149.
Chapman Golf Club-based teaching pro Robson Saurombe started brightly with an opening round 72, but struggled on the final day, with a closing 78 to finish tied for fifth with Tongo Charamba at 150.
The Bindura Pro-am, which was sponsored by the Freda Rebecca Gold Mine, attracted a strong field, while the significantly improved nine-hole Bindura Golf Club course provided a true test of golf for the 26 professionals from the Zimbabwe Professional Golfers’ Association.
Tournament organiser Cedric Jonker praised the Bindura Golf Club team for making the Pro-Am tournament a success.
“The course is in amazing condition and the addition of the water hazards has made this Country Club nine-hole course an extremely challenging and attractive golf layout. Congratulations must go to all who have been part of the upgrade of this wonderful course,” he said.
“I also need to thank the sponsors Freda Rebecca Gold Mine, club president Toi Muganyi, captain Rupert Young and greenkeeper Hardman Karonga for their efforts in making the tournament a success,” he said.
