By Mubukwanu Kaingu
The Zambia Golf Open will be staged this year in Kitwe following a five-year hiatus at Nkana Golf Club with a total prize money of Rand 2.5 million.
Mopani Copper Mines will be the main sponsor of the Zambia Open Golf championship that will be held from June 13-16 at Nkana Golf Club which will be hosting the tournament for a sixth successive time.
The Zambia Open Golf tournament returns for the first time since 2019 before the 2020 event was cancelled due to COVID-19.
2024 Mopani Zambia Open Golf organizing committee chairperson Phil Harrold said at the tournament launch announcement at MCM’s headquarters in Kitwe yesterday that they were excited to see the event back in Kitwe.
“We thank Zambia Golf Union for entrusting us with the responsibility of hosting this event, having hosted it five times already. Nkana Golf Club is the home of the Zambian Open, and we would like it to stay that for many years,” Harrold said.
“For us, this year’s Zambia Open Golf tournament is a dedication to Mopani in celebrating the development hence we have dubbed this year’s tournament as the Mopani Zambia Open to be held on the 13th to 16 June with total prize money of R2.5 million.”
And Zambia Golf Union President Greg Lubesha said his Union had faith Nkana would deliver a very successful Zambia Open Championship.
Meanwhile, Sunshine Tour director Gary Todd they were looking forward to sanctioning another great Zambia Open on their calendar.
Todd added that he was pleased with the state of the Nkana Golf Course which he said just needed some touching up since hosting its last major event five years ago.
He went on to say that the entries list for the Mopani Zambia Open was still a work in progress but a field of 133 to 144 golfers was the number they were working on.
MCM Chief Executive Officer Charles Sakanya said the mining company was honoured to be returning as the tournament sponsor for the sixth time.
“We understand the importance of supporting initiatives that promote excellence in sports and contribute to the overall development of our country. The Zambia Open Golf tournament epitomizes these ideals, and we are delighted to be part of this incredible journey, having been part of this event in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019,” Sakanya said.
