James Katunga on Saturday returned to the golf course after a one-year break in style by beating a field of 82 golfers in CDH Investment Bank Invitational Golf at Blantyre Sports Club (BSC).
The handicap 17 law student amassed 36 points, counted.
Second-placed Godwin Chinseu (handicap 15) was on second position with 36 points counted out.
Katunga, who also won nearest to pin on hole number one, said it was a pleasure to win after a year’s break.
“I think it was sheer luck and a bit of concentration. I was focused today. I last played golf last year and to play again today and win is not a simple task. My secret today was that I was not lifting my head up. When you are playing golf and you lift your head that affects your game. I just concentrated on looking at the ball when playing,” he said.
In ladies category, Margaret Mkwanda, handicap 28, scooped first position with 32 pints.
Jolin Bapu, handicap 19, came second with 31 points.
Bashir Shareef won in seniors section with 39 points.
Gabriel Kambale won hole-in-one on hole number five while 2-club went to Edward Kaunga.
CDH Investment Bank chief executive officer Misheck Esau said it was a pleasure to return to BSC with another invitational golf tournament.
“This is a bank that is ‘nearest to the club’ if I was to use golf language. Being a neighbour to BSC, we feel that we are indebted to them. We are excited to associate ourselves with BSC. From the turnout of 82 golfers it was a very important tournament for us. Most of our clients that we invited came,” he said.
He said the tournaments also gave the bank an opportunity to share with the participants the bank’s products such as project finance.
Esau said: “Malawian companies are putting up projects. I must say these days we are getting quite sizeable projects. We help them to get what we call a bankable stage. Then we take these projects out and have our partners to finance them.
“We also mobilise resources locally to finance projects. The reception is very good. We have financed projects worth over $100 million over the years.” n
