Salimu wins BCS Blantyre Open

Rashid Salimu was on Sunday crowned Business Computer Services (BCS) Blantyre Open Stroke Play champion at Blantyre Sports Club (BSC).

The national team player led jointly with Folindo Rodrick on the first day with an impressive one under 69 gross and consistency saw him carrying his lead to the final day.

Salimu carded 69, 73 and 75 on day one, two and three, respectively, adding up to a total gross score of 217 to seal his victory and shrug off his closest challenger George Chisambo who posted  73, 69 and 79 (221).

Peter Lumbe settled for third position with a total gross score of 228.

Salimu could not hide his excitement, saying the Blantyre Open is one of the Golf Union of Malawi’s (GUoM) major events, “and to emerge the winner is something special”.

He said: “This is my biggest win ever. The competition was tough and I am happy to have won.”

In the professional category, Paul Chidale retained the honours on plus five after three days of battling it out with Adam Sailesi and Simon Moses who settled for second and third positions on plus eight and plus 12, respectively.

Brigadier General Chikunkha Soko from Lilongwe was too strong a contender for the golfers in A Division. He won after a two day gross score of 161. Jeffries  Kondwani  was runner-up with 164 while Furkan Gani finished third on 165.

In the B Division, with a gross score of 178 over two rounds, Yasin Njalale emerged champion while Itaye Chidzero and Wills Samati were second and third respectively both with 181 gross.

The best nett went to seasoned golfer John Gift Mwakhwawa, who posted 62, had the best gross score of the final day. He carded a 71 gross.

BCS head of business development Chimwemwe Chimwaza thanked the golfers for turning up for the event in large numbers.

“The tournament was oversubscribed. It shows how the BCS Blantyre Open has become so popular over the years. We are delighted with the state of affairs and look forward to next year,” he said.

The tournament was hosted under the theme “Enterprise Digital Transformation Enabler”.