GOLFER Robson Saurombe has vowed to continue chasing his dream of making an impact on the Sunshine Tour this season despite narrowly missing out on qualification for this week’s prestigious BMW South Africa Open Championship by a single shot on Tuesday. BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
Saurombe, who turned professional in 2007, having won Zimbabwe Player of the Year award and ZGA Order of Merit honours in 2005 and 2006, was one of a host of locals chasing the few spots in the elite 156-man field which tees off at Glendower Golf Club today.
However, the Chapman Golf Club-based teaching pro came just one shot shy of a play-off for the final place after carding a steady round of two-under-par 70 at the Benoni Country Club in Johannesburg.
“Unfortunately, I missed out on qualification by a single shot which is sad, but the experience I gained is definitely valuable. The course was very similar to Royal Harare Golf Club in that if you miss the fairway you are in serious trouble. I’m sure this experience will come in handy during the Zimbabwe Open,” he said.
Saurombe, who was competing in South Africa for the first time since March last year due to lack of sponsorship, said he would have more exposure this year due to the support of a local benefactor.
“I’m now working towards qualifying for Joburg Open, the Tshwane Open in Pretoria, the Dimension Data Pro-Am and the South African PGA Championship,” he said. “At the moment I have a gentleman who is supporting me, but I would really like to appeal to the local corporates to come on board and support local professional golfers. The demands are high when you are playing at the highest level of professional golf and it is difficult for individual sponsors,” Saurombe said.
The BMW South Africa Open qualifier saw 268 players from around the world vying for 13 spots around three courses in Johannesburg, South Africa.
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South Africa-based Zimbabwean golfer Sheldon Steyn also narrowly missed out despite carding a two-under-par round of 70 at Kempton Park Golf Club where Brian Gondo carded one-under-par 71.
Reigning Hwange Open champion Gary Thompson came up well short after shooting three-over 75 at Irene Country Club.
Meanwhile, US-based Zimbabwean golfer Scott Vincent is off to the start he hoped for at the 2016 Asian Tour Qualifying School first stage in Hua Hin, Thailand.
The 23-year-old rising star stormed into a share of the lead after carding a sizzling seven-under-par 65 in the opening round at the Windsor Park Golf Club yesterday.
Vincent is now in pole position to join the 155 players already exempt to next week’s Final Stage and play for a spot on the Asian Tour this year.
