IN-FORM Stuart Krog headlines a star-studded field for the 2026 Tongaat Hulett Lowveld Pro-Am tournament, which tees off tomorrow morning at Hippo Valley Estates and Triangle Golf Clubs.
The 30-year old golfer enters the prestigious tournament riding a wave of spectacular form following a dream start to his Sunshine Tour season.
Last weekend, he stormed up the leaderboard at the KCM Challenge at Nchanga Golf Club in Zambia, finishing tied for ninth at 14-under par (274) — just four strokes behind the winner, Samuel Simpson.
This impressive display propelled him to ninth overall on the Order of Merit after six competitions and capped off an unforgettable two weeks in Zambia, coming right on the heels of his maiden Sunshine Tour title at the Mopani Zambia Open the previous week.
The US$60 000 tournament, which has quickly re-established itself as the biggest event on the local calendar after the historic Zimbabwe Open, has attracted a stellar line-up of 72 professionals and 84 amateurs.
Krog will face stiff competition from fellow Sunshine Tour campaigner Robson Chinhoi.
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The 35-year-old Zimbabwean is also enjoying a fine run of form in Zambia, having finished tied for 14th at the Mopani Zambia Open before securing an impressive seventh-place finish at 15-under par at the KCM Challenge.
Adding international flair to the field is Portuguese Sunshine Tour player Stephen Ferreira, who is gracing the Lowveld for the showcase.
Other top professionals confirmed to battle it out for the lucrative prize purse include Visitor Mapwanya, Ryan Cairns, Promise Sombrero, Tongo Charamba, Darlington Chikanyambidze, Nyasha Muyambo and Brian Gondo.
The pre-eminent three-day event will also feature the country’s top women golfers alongside a highly competitive amateur field, headlined by the red-hot Vincent Chidambazina, Nathaniel Zvidya, Tadiwanashe Nyanyirai, Elton Zulu and Kelvin Muchenje.
Running from June 26 to 28, this year’s multi-course showpiece carries an even grander sense of occasion as it coincides with the platinum 70th Anniversary of Hippo Valley Estates.
Speaking ahead of the tee-off, Tongaat Hulett’s head of corporate and industry affairs, Dahlia Garwe, highlighted the national significance of the tournament and its deep connection to the region under the anniversary theme Tadzika Midzi (Deeply Rooted).
“This is a very special and big event not only for THZ but as a national event after the Zim Open in terms of purse size (US$60 000),” Garwe said.
“For us, it is an opportunity to plough back to the larger community through promoting sport, as the event will attract local and international players, exposing Zimbabwe’s golf courses and tourism appeal.
“Further, proceeds from the tournament will be utilised for junior golf development.
“This year the tournament is particularly special as it forms part of our Hippo Valley Estates 70th Anniversary celebrations. Indeed, it is coinciding with the 70th Anniversary of Hippo Valley Estates, a very special milestone.”
She added: “The theme for the celebrations is Tadzika Midzi (Deeply Rooted), and this tournament will speak to our deeply rooted legacy in the Lowveld.
“It will form a flagship platform combining brand presence, stakeholders’ engagement, and national sporting development.
“Given the high profile of the Pro-Am, we expect some solid golf to be played over the three days by both fields of Pros and Amateurs.”
Tournament director Hillary Kaseke expressed his delight at the quality of the field and the readiness of the courses.
“It’s set to be a big and exciting tournament with all the top players coming to play. It is befitting for a tournament which coincides with the 70th Anniversary celebrations of Hippo Valley Estates,” Kaseke noted.
“Already it’s one of the biggest tournaments on the Zim golf calendar and we are grateful to the sponsors Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe for investing resources to make this tournament a success for the benefit of our golfers.
“Preparations have gone smoothly and we are ready to tee off.”