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Takudzwa Chitsiga-Sports Reporter

THE annual National Aids Council (NAC) Pro-Am golf tournament, tees off at Royal Harare this morning with several top professionals expected to compete. 

The 54-hole NAC Pro-Am, which is the second biggest professional golf tournament in the country after the FBC Zimbabwe Open, carries a lucrative prize fund of US$50 000. 

Zimbabwe Professional Golfers’ Association (ZPGA) representative, Jessie Nyakatawa, said she was pleased with the interest by the professional players who have confirmed their availability. 

At least 60 golfers will tee it up at a tournament which has set an ambitious target of raising US$100 000 for HIV and Cancer prevention. 

Golfers will battle it out for a prize purse of US$50 000 in a field that will include past champions Robson Chinhoi and Ignatius Mketekete, among several others. 

The sixth edition of the Pro-AM NAC Golf Tournament comes hard on the heels of the Ladies Golfers competition held recently. 

The tournament seeks to raise US$100 000 with US$52 000 meant for KIDZCAN for implementation of childhood anti-cancer initiatives. 

“We are going to hold the annual NAC Pro-Am which is coming a few weeks after the players took part in the Gokomere Open at Chapman. The tournament is an Open event and we expect tough competition. 

“The players are looking forward to the tournament which is healthy for the players as they are getting more game-time,” said Nyakatawa. 

Professional player Jon Milanzi, who missed the cut in last month’s Gokomere Open, is hopeful he will do well this time around. 

“I am looking forward to the game and I am happy with the course conditions at Royal Harare. I have been working hard ahead of this tournament. 

“I am going to remain focused and I hope to make it in the top 10,” said Milanzi.