THE Lowveld is bracing for a blockbuster weekend of elite golf as the highly anticipated Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe (THZ) Lowveld Pro-Am tees off this Friday, alternating between the lush fairways of Triangle and Hippo Valley Estates.
Running from June 26 to 28, the multi-course showpiece has swiftly re-established itself as the biggest golf tournament in the country after the historic Zimbabwe Open.
Boasting a massive US$60 000 prize purse, this year’s edition carries an even grander sense of occasion: it coincides with the platinum 70th Anniversary of Hippo Valley Estates.
The tournament made a triumphant return to the Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA) calendar in 2024 after a painful decade-long hiatus. It was a fairytale comeback that saw rising star David Amm shoot an astonishing 13-under-par to secure his maiden professional victory.
This year, the stakes and the field have grown exponentially. A stellar line-up of 72 professionals and 84 amateur golfers, both male and female, have already registered to battle it out on the Lowveld’s unique layout.
Defending champion Amm will face a fierce test from the country's top-tier professionals, including the trailblazing Robson Chinhoi, the clinical Visitor Mapwanya, and seasoned campaigners Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa, Nyasha Muyambo, and Tonderai Masunga.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Tongaat Huletts head of corporate and industry affairs, Dahlia Garwe, expressed immense pride in the tournament’s growth and its alignment with the company's historic milestone.
"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 ($60k)," Garwe said.
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"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.
“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."
Garwe emphasised that reviving the tournament in 2024 was a calculated move to restore the Lowveld to its rightful place at the pinnacle of Zimbabwean golf.
"The company revived the Lowveld Pro-Am after a long hiatus and considers it a milestone initiative,” she said.
“We have always wanted it to be an annual event on the ZGA golf calendar, demonstrating long-term importance, especially given the long association of the company with golf and our splendid courses!
“We would like to rebuild it into a very significant tournament on the annual golf calendar."
Tongaat Huletts’ corporate footprint extends far beyond the greens.
The sugar-producing giant has emerged as one of the most diverse and influential corporate sponsors of sport in Zimbabwe.
"The company spends a very significant portion of the budget on promoting various sporting disciplines within and outside the company," Garwe explained.
"At the national level, THZ has been an anchor partner of the Zim Open since its inception.
“We have a football team in the Premier League, and our hockey team is the current Zim Champion—they even participated at the All-Africa Club Championship (AACC) early this year.
"We also have an array of sponsorship packages for our employees in community soccer, netball, handball, volleyball, and golf leagues across the two estates.
“Our thrust for sports sponsorship is inclusive and is not leaving any sport behind.
“Following the successful hosting in May of one of the biggest marathons in Zimbabwe, the Huletts Sweet Run, we now have an athletics team."
Managing a dual-course tournament featuring over 150 players requires meticulous logistical precision.
Experienced golf administrator Patrick Mangwiro, who is overseeing tournament preparations, revealed that everything is on track for a world-class weekend of golf.
"It's one of the biggest golf tournaments after the Zim Open as it attracts local professionals, elite amateurs, and other higher-to-lower handicapped amateurs," Mangwiro said.
"So far, we have 72 entries from professionals and we are expecting about 84 amateurs.
“We can't take more than these numbers given that both our courses are nine holes.
“Preparations are going on well, especially on the golf courses, and we expect them to be in superb condition by next weekend."
Garwe echoed these sentiments, assuring fans and competitors alike that the stages are set.
"A lot of work has gone into course preparations and we are more than ready for the event. We really look forward to hosting golfers in the Lowveld,” she said.
When the first ball flies through the Lowveld air this Friday, it will signify more than just the start of a golf tournament.
It will be a celebration of 70 years of resilience, community development, and a deeply rooted sporting legacy that continues to sweeten the fabric of Zimbabwean sport.
