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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
WILLIAM LAKE took an early lead at the National Aids Council Pro-Am golf tournament at Royal Harare yesterday.

Lake was among the 63 top professionals taking part in the tournament which is now in its second year.

Zimbabwe Professional Golfers Association and NAC have sponsored the tournament that was also held at the same venue last year.

Lake carded a five-under par 67 to take the lead and is going into the second round this morning ahead of Trainos Muradzikwa, a Royal Harare professional. Muradzikwa utilised home advantage to card a four-under 68 on a day that had five players scoring under-par scores. Lake said he was looking to continue with his fine form.

Last week’s Harare Open winner, Ben Follet-Smith, is in third place after he carded three-under-par 69.

The former Mississippi State University student is good at playing catch up and may make it two in a role. Also in the tight race is Biggie Chibvuri on 69. ZPGA president Garry Thompson sits on 70 while the quintet of Pride Sembo, Mohamed Mandhu, Robson Chinhoi and Zambian Madalitso Muthiya are all on level par 72.

NAC finance director, Albert Manenji, who is also the tournament director, said they were looking at raising funds to buy 15 cancer-screening equipment.

“The world now faces an increased threat of non-communicable diseases, including cancer in particular, and about 4 000 new cases are recorded in Zimbabwe annually of which 60% of them will be associated with HIV.

“The major challenge is lack of cancer-screening equipment in rural areas to ensure early detection and treatment so, with this Golf Day, together with other partners, we hope to raise some funds.

“We want to buy, at least, 15 machines to make the burden lighter for people in the provinces as some people are forced to travel long distances to the hospital with the screening machines and we are saying we can’t let that trend continue,” said Maneji.