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The beverages giant — through their Golden Pilsener brand — were unveiled as the new major sponsor of the competition at a function at Royal Harare yesterday.
Delta’s package also comes as an improvement on the purse from last year’s figure of R1,2 million.
Communications service provider Africom had bankrolled the Sunshine Tour event, but will now remain as the tournament’s communications partner.
Delta are not newcomers to golf as they already had the naming rights of the local Zambezi Tour.
Last night’s decision to extend their wings to the Zimbabwe Open was another show of commitment by Delta to the growth of golf in the country.
The company — through their Golden Pilsener brand — had also bankrolled the Harare Open.
Crucially for local sport is the fact that by taking over as the main sponsors of the Zimbabwe Open, Delta Beverages became its biggest partner.
Apart from the Zimbabwe Open golf, Delta are also the title sponsors of the Premier Soccer League through the Castle Lager brand.
Delta tied a three-year deal with the PSL to ensure the championship, the ultimate prize in domestic football, was branded.
They are also involved in national rugby through the Lion Lager brand while the oldest horse racing competition on the continent the Castle Tankard is also bankrolled by Delta.
Last night it was the turn of the Zimbabwe Open Golf to receive a lucrative package that should help the competition retain its glitter and lure top professionals to Harare.
Royal Harare’s greens will once again host the event.
Speaking at the ceremony, Delta Corporation executive director Maxen Karombo said they have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the Zimbabwe Open.
“We have been part of the Zimbabwe Open Committee’s vision to restore the image of our country through an internationally acclaimed tournament.
“The total value of the sponsorship is US$550 000, which will cover the costs of running the tournament as well as the players’ prize fund.
“This is an investment in our pride as Zimbabweans and an investment into developing golf as an employer of choice for our professional golfers,” Karombo said.
The guest of honour at the ceremony, Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart said he is happy that the tournament will come as a motivator to all aspiring golfers.
“We are happy for this tournament and we hope it will work as a great motivator to young aspiring golfers.
“It will be good if we can have a winner from here and emulate the legacy that Nick Price left,” Coltart said.
Several top African golfers are expected at the tournament that resumed three years ago.
The entries are now open for the 21st edition of the Zimbabwe Open and the South African contingent are expected to flock in their large numbers.
Zimbabwe Open is the premier golf event and draws several top professionals from across the globe.
The Sunshine Tour events should have a minimum sponsorship of R1 million and the beverage manufacturers have pledged their commitment to sponsoring the sport.
The defending champion in this year’s tournament is Theunis Spangenberg who pocketed a R198 125 pay cheque last year.
The event was last year reduced to a 54-hole tournament after some incessant rains that pounded the city for the whole week.
This year, the tournament was rescheduled to match the dates, when it is anticipated that the weather will not wreak havoc on the programme.
The dates have also been scheduled to attract many golfers who will have taken part in some South African events.
Hosting the Zimbabwe Open in January had proved a noble idea as those in the European Tour will be on holiday.
The return of the Open in 2010 saw regional and international golfers taking part.
J’be Kruger won the 2010 event at Royal Harare.
The golfer recently won his first European Tour event when he lifted the Avantha Masters in India early this month.
It was Kruger’s 38th European Tour appearance and the win may boost his confidence ahead of the Zimbabwe Open.
Kruger was last year tied on fourth position with Adilson da Silva at the Zimbabwe Open.