Shonga gets Nampak golf title
James Shonga has added a 13th golf title on his mantelpiece after winning the Nampak Wednesday Ball Pool at the Blantyre Sports Club (BSC).
But what surprised the 41-strongfield was not the handicap nine golfer’s skill to get excellent scores on the wet greens, but the fact that he did it three days after being a caddie to Andrew Santhe who won the Lab Enterprises Match Play doubles title alongside Adriano Guarino at the same greens.
Shonga, who collected 29 points, underscored his brilliance in the nine-hole contest on this showery day by holing three birdies and four pars to outmanoeuvre his runner-up BSC vice-captain Hudson Kantwanje and third-placed John Kachilika by two and three points respectively.
“I make good shots under the wet weather condition. I am just happy that I have managed to prove this today,” said the 26-year-old golfer who has been in golf for six years.
He also hit nearest to the pin on hole 5. Paul Chidale hit the longest drive on hole 8.
Sophie Kalambule, who partnered her husband Medson during last week’s Match Play Golf finals, took the crown in the ladies category where she beat nine female golfers, including runner-up Charity Mwachilira. She collected 22 points—two ahead of Mwachilira.
Nevertheless, the golf event seemed to be a special occasion for Nampak marketing manager Nyakhoko Nsona.Wednesday was his birthday and it was the first day for the company to conduct a golf event in the commercial city after rebranding from Packaging Industries of Malawi (PIM) on July 24.
“This is the beginning of more exciting golf competitions under our new name. Expect more fire from a new-look company which will be offering more innovative packaging products for you. We are happy for your support,” Nsona said after the golfers sang a birthday song for him.
The rebranding of the company followed Nampak’s buying of 100 percent shares from PIM early this year. Then, they had 60 percent shared.
