Strong field expected for Central Open
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday May 29, 2015 11:41
Puma Energy sponsors the competition to the tune of P50, 000, an increase from last year’s P30, 000. Botswana Golf Union (BGU) secretary general, Mpho Kelosiwang told Mmegi Sport this week the tournament will start with the Championship Division on Friday.
He said the players would play over 54 holes. The rest of the players will join the competition on Saturday and Sunday.
The Championship Division is for players with Handicap 0-7, A Division (Handicap 8-15) and B Division (Handicap 16-24). Kelosiwang said A and B Division are played over 36 holes.
The tournament is the fourth national completion on BGU’s 2015 calendar. The tournament contributes significantly to the BGU Order of Merit.
He said the championship is a qualifier for the Orange Classic tournament that will be held towards the end of the year.
He said they have changed the way the tournament has been played over the years because they want golfers who will accumulate good points to be part of it.
He said the intention is to encourage golfers to support all BGU tours.
“We have realised that some golfers only target glamorous tournaments such as Orange Classic, but that has to change. “The Central Open will also be used to qualify for the Windhoek Lager Africa Championship slated for mid-June,” said Kelosiwang. Some of the golfers expected to cause an upset in the Championship Division are David Masole, Shane Granger, Kesentseng Dube, Peter Podise, Joe Moilwa, and Ketshepaone Molefhe.
Kelosiwang said Masole has had a good run this year and it will not be surprising if he walks away with the championship.
He noted that it is difficult to play in browns, but Masole started his golf in the same course.
The golfer comes into the championship after winning the Jwaneng Open recently.
He said BGU has included women golfers in the tournament and they play under handicap 0-30. Kelosiwang said Selebi-Phikwe-based golfer, Sandra Hughes is a favourite in the women’s division.