By NDINAWE SIMPELWE –
SOUTH African James Kamte yesterday led his team to the top position of the first of the two Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Zambia Open ProAms at Nchanga Golf Club in Chingola.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s Dayne Moore with his team of amateurs posted an impressive score to finish second.
Kamte, who had an outstanding performance during the Zambia Sugar Open, saw his team that comprised amateurs Albert Venter and Zaba Shoko finish the 18 hole course with 88 points.
The South African, who lost the Zambia Sugar Open on the last day after leading for two days, is expected to be one of the main contenders at Nchanga Golf Club.
He will, however, face strong challenges from about five former Zambia Open champions who have also entered the tournament together with Madalitso Muthiya whose best performance in this tournament came from the same course.
Zambia’s professional Moore gave a hint of what to expect during the tournament proper when he led his team to a second finish with 87 points.
Moore together with Muthiya are Zambia’s front runners at the tournament and former’s performance will give hope to the local fans that a Zambian may win the tournament for the first time.
Moore’s team had amateurs Maybin Sichilima, Lovemore Gumbo and Dolly Mbambara.
Muthiya, who is looking to better his second position finished recorded 10 years, however, could not make it in the top three but he
will be confident to come back stronger on Thursday as he has been in good form on the Sunshine Tour.
In third position was Theunis Spangenberg’s team of Stan Tembo, Agness Mwamba and Edmond Miti with 86 points.
The dress rehearsal for the tournament continues today with the second ProAm where more golfers are expected to have a feel of the course before the actual tournament starts tomorrow.
Local Organising Committee chairperson Mathew Nkhuwa is optimistic of a successful tournament as everything was in place.
Nkhuwa said the course was worked on as advised by Sunshine Tour inspectors adding that he was looking forward to see golfers enjoy the tournament.
He further said sponsorship was still open even as the tournament was ongoing as the committee did not meet the US$1 million budget.