By Tendai Chisiri
Harare – The 14th edition of the re-launched Zimbabwe Open will be held from 3–10 May 2026 at Royal Harare Golf Club, with a prize fund of R3,000,000 and renewed backing from long-term sponsors, Zimbabwe Open Committee Chairman Livingstone T. Gwata confirmed at Tuesday’s media launch.
“This will be the 14th Zimbabwe Open in the series since the premier tournament was re-launched in 2010,” Gwata told media at Royal Harare. “We are indeed looking forward to a most successful 14th national tournament in this series.”
The event runs Sunday 3 May through Sunday 10 May, with championship rounds scheduled for Thursday 7 May to Sunday 10 May. Gwata praised hosts Royal Harare Golf Club for providing a “world class golf facility” consistently commended by players and spectators.
FBC Holdings Limited returns as Title Sponsor for the fifth consecutive year. ZHL Holdings Limited and Caledonian Mining Corporation PLC will serve as Associate Partners, with Caledonian welcomed as a new partner for 2026. Anchor Sponsors include Golden Pilsener (Delta Beverages) and Tongaat Hulett.
Speaking at the press briefing, FBC Holdings Group CE Trynos Kufazvinei announced the group will contribute USD$200,000 towards the 2026 FBC Zimbabwe Open Golf Championship. “The FBC Group is sponsoring the Zimbabwe Open Golf Championship as a title sponsor for the fifth consecutive year, demonstrating our unmoved commitment to promoting golf development in Zimbabwe,” Kufazvinei said.
Kufazvinei added that the championship “plays a strategic role in driving socio-economic development through promoting sports tourism and building international relations in a sporting atmosphere”. FBC’s broader CSR thrust saw over USD900,000 invested in community initiatives last year, including the Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk and the Kamandama Marathon.
Gwata said the Committee’s mandate is to “showcase golf being played at world class level in the sincere hope that this will inspire our up and coming young golfers to attain the highest level in the sport”. Parallel fundraising initiatives have mobilised USD$9,300 since the previous event for cancer treatment charities, with proceeds to be handed over at the official launch. Last year’s “Swing For Cancer” campaign raised more than USD9,000.00.
With 18 Official Partners including Liquid Technologies, Alpha Media Holdings, ZBC Holdings, and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Gwata noted the Zimbabwe Open “is seen as one of the best tournaments on the Sunshine Tour circuit,” the biggest professional tour on the African continent.
The Zimbabwe Open was first held in 1979 but was mothballed after 2001 due to foreign currency challenges before its 2010 re-launch.
“I do hope you will enjoy watching world class golf in the next couple of weeks,” Gwata concluded.
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