Mandala, Muguvu are Optichem Golf champs
An astonishing display of putting skills helped Donbell Mandala and Connie Muguvu secure victories in the Optichem Fertilisers Golf Championships at Mulanje Golf Club (MGC) on Sunday.
Both were coming from third-place finish in the National Bank of Malawi Tournament in the respective men’s and women’s categories the previous day, but they managed to polish their performance to walk tall on Sunday.
Except on the last two holes, Mandala played controlled and precision golf to earn two birdies along the way as he collected 44 Individual Stable-fold points to push John Katsala to the second position by a stroke. Katsala counted out Fanneck Gama to the third slot with 43 points.
“Everything happened according to plan and luck. Of course, I flopped on the last two holes when I aimed for threes, but ended up with ones,” the handicap-16 golfer said after receiving a trophy and prize from Optichem Fertilisers general manager Bobby Singh.
Muguvu, who was having her first-ever feel of the MGC greens, collected 33 points to topple Teri Amaro, who settled for the second place with 30 points.
“I played consistent golf except on two holes which I blanked due to huge storm that took my shots off the fairway. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my game today,” said the handicap-17 golfer.
Singh said the fertiliser manufacturing company organised the contest, which saw the likes of Davlin Chokazinga and Soppie Kaira winning two clubs, to appreciate support they get from farmers in Mulanje and Thyolo.
“This was the first time to sponsor golf here in Mulanje. All along, we have been doing it in Thyolo, but we have now added Mulanje after noting increased numbers of customers,” said Singh.
