FBC Holdings have committed to retaining their Zimbabwe Open Golf Championship title-sponsorship for next year following the success of the 2024 edition of the event, which concluded at Royal Harare Golf Club on Sunday.
South African golfer Michael Hollick emerged winner of the FBC Zimbabwe Open on 20-under par 268, two strokes ahead of compatriot and 2001 champion Darren Fichardt.
Zimbabwean golfer Scott Vincent was third on 14-under while his younger brother Kieran Vincent tied for fourth place with Swedish golfer Fredrik From on 12 – under.
Another Zimbabwean golfer Ben Follett-Smith finished in a two-way tie for sixth with South African MJ Viljoen on 11-under after four rounds.
Upcoming Zimbabwean star Matthew Bramfod was the best amateur after finishing on level par in the tournament, which saw six other Zimbabweans make the cut.
Branford was the only amateur to make it to the final two days of the competition.
Speaking during the prize presentation ceremony FBC Holding Group chief executive officer Trynos Kufazvinei announced that his organization will be title-sponsors again next year.
“I feel greatly honoured to join you all today at this momentous 2024 FBC Zimbabwe Open prize presentation ceremony. This is of special significance for the FBC Holdings group as we are sponsoring the Zimbabwe Open golf tournament for the third consecutive year. As the title sponsor, we commit that next year we will actually be the title sponsors (again),” he said.
- Letters: How solar power is transforming African farms
- Mutare man nabbed for smuggling
- Zim records 3 000 cancer cases annually
- SA SET TO MAINTAIN FBC ZIM OPEN DOMINANCE
Keep Reading
“It gives me great pleasure and abundant joy to articulate as the FBC Group that we are proud sponsors of the FBC Zimbabwe Open. On behalf of the FBC Group and the nation of Zimbabwe at large allow me to congratulate the players for demonstrating their outstanding skills during the tournament.
“Our special gratitude goes to all great players from our neighbouring countries through the Sunshine Tour, the Africa continent and across the entire globe for making a great decision to visit Zimbabwe and participate in a world class golf tournament. Indeed we feel honoured to host you in our nation. We have no doubt that you have enjoyed the legendary friendliness and hospitality of Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabwe is endowed with great tourism resorts including the magnificent Victoria Falls. Therefore, we hope that you will consider Zimbabwe as your tourism destination in the near future. This event would not have been successful without the support of our anchor sponsors. We are indebted to all the sponsors for joining us in hosting this world class tournament,” Kufazvinei added.
Other partners that contributed to the success of the Zimbabwe Open include Zimre Holdings Limited, who were the associate sponsors, while Golden Pilsener, Cimas and Firstlink Insurance Brokers joined as anchor sponsors.
Other partners included Bon Marché Zimbabwe, Royal Harare Golf Club, Sahwira Events and Lifestyle, Huletts SA, Liquid Home Zimbabwe, Rooneys Zimbabwe, GuardAlert Security Services, Zuva Petroleum, Nomads and Alpha Media Holdings, who are the media partners.
A total of 144 golfers from at least 10 different countries took part in the 2024 edition of the FBC Zimbabwe Open, among them eight amateurs.
FBC Holdings Group increased this year’s purse from US$150 000 (R2 million) to US$200 000 (R2,5 million).
The Zimbabwe Open committee chairperson Livingstone Gwata was charmed by the success of the event and was full of gratitude.
“What a wonderful conclusion to a spectacular event. It was a week of pre-qualifiers, ProAms and championship golf. Special thanks to our sponsors for making it possible. Our spectators and stakeholders have enjoyed festivities, fun fare and entertainment," he said.
“Our gratitude goes to local players for putting up an incredible show and to our Zimbabwean players based abroad Scott Vincent, Kieran Vincent, Robson Chinhoyi, Ben Follett-Smith for giving local fans realistic hope of winning this tournament.
“Special mention will also go to the veteran players like our local golfer Davison Elijah who grossed 67 in the pre qualifiers and Darren Fichardt who won the Zim Open in 2001, which is 23 years ago. He was not only in contention but was also in the final group for today,” he said at the prize presentation ceremony.
