Dean Burmester to defend title
DEAN BURMESTER will headline this year’s Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open golf tournament when the event tees off tomorrow morning at Royal Harare.
The Zimbabwe-born professional is the defending champion after winning last year’s event at the same course and will return high in confidence.
Burmester had a wonderful 2015 season, winning four tournaments and had a good 2016 start after recording two second place finishes.
According to the Sunshine Tour, Dean represents Schoeman Park Golf Club and had a distinguished amateur career. He also won the International Team Championships in 2009, and decided to turn pro the year after.
He endured a tough first season on the Sunshine Tour but has showed his mettle as he came second on the Big Easy Tour Championship in 2011.
He steadily improved after that and found himself inside the top 40 on the Order of Merit in 2012.
His breakthrough win came at the 2013 Polokwane Classic, and he followed that up a year later with a victory in the 2015 Sun City Challenge.
In 2015 he won the Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open and then followed that up with three more victories to finish fourth on the Order of Merit.
A number of local players will also be in contention after witnessing South Africans dominating the event for several years.
The local contingent’s challenge will be spearheaded by Scott Vincent, who has been doing well, Ryan Cairns, Tongo Charamba, Robson Saurombe, Phillip Tshuma, Brian Gondo, Greg Bentley, and Julius Kamalizeni.
Kamalizeni believes he can do well at this year’s event after missing the cut last year.
“I have been working hard and coming through a direct entry is a confidence-booster for me and I am looking forward to the game.
“We always try our best as locals and I believe this year we will witness an improvement in terms of players who will go all the way.
“Royal Harare can be challenging but I have to remain focused and try and make the cut,” said Kamalizeni.
The event will also see several amateurs taking part and they include United States-based Stuart Krog. Krog will have to battle it out with other top amateurs Kieren Vincent, David Amm, John Milanzi, Tonderai Masunga and Takana Mhere.