FBC Zim Open becomes sanctuary of family affairs

THE curtain comes down on the country’s premier golf tournament, the FBC Zimbabwe Open, today.

And the 2024 edition of the Zim Open has been special in more ways than one, especially the increase of the prize fund to US$200 000 by FBC Holding Limited, the world class hospitality, 10 different countries represented and a 126-year-old golf facility, Royal Harare, among many others.

But the best story of this tournament is that it has become a stage for family golfers competing against each other.

This time around there are three different sets of brothers taking part namely, Zimbabweans Scott and Kieran Vincent; David and Braydon Amm and The Kibugu brothers from Kenya, Mutahi and Njoroge.

There was also a father and son contest between 2001 Zim Open champion Darren Fichardt and 18-year-old Ethan.

Zimbabwe Open tournament director Michael Mahachi was pleased with this unique dimension of the 12th edition of the tournament since it was reintroduced in 2010 after a nine-year absence from the calendar.

“This is what makes the tournament very interesting and unique. "We have got a father and son Darren Fichardt and Ethan Fichardt, interestingly Ethan’s mother is carrying Ethan’s bag, which means we also have Natasha Fichardt on the bag. It’s a Fichardt affair,” Mahachi said.

“Scott and Kieran Vincent are two brothers in the field. They are not the only brothers. We have got the Kibugu brothers from Kenya, who are doing very well on the Sunshine Tour and in East Africa. David Amm and his younger brother is another unique story about this event. There are quite a number of unique aspects about this tournament and they are all not planned. But they all help grow this event.”

While the Vincent brothers both made the cut after the second round, The Kibugu brother’s journament ney ended on the second day just like that of the Amm brothers.

Darren Fichardt was one of the leaders after two rounds.

The veteran golfer was pleased to be alongside his son in the latter’s first professional golf tourappearance although he is still an amateur.

“I have come with my son. This is his first pro tournament and it's just awesome that we can play in the place together in a national tournament. It’s just real, it’s really special. My wife is caddying for me and my other son is caddying for Ethan," he said.

“This tournament has always been very special to me; it's one of my favourite events. The Zimbabwean people are really nice, they put a lot of effort into this tournament.”

The younger brother of David

Amm, Bradon, who was the youngest player in the tournament, was also happy to play with his brother in a tournament.

“Playing with my brother definitely strengthens my game because he went to college and he knows a lot more than I do so he helps me here and there,” he said.

Braydon Amm became the youngest player at just 14 to qualify for the Zimbabwe Open.