Kauka, Karuku win Habp Golf

Blantyre Sports Club (BSC) golfer Edward Kauka on Saturday won the two-day 2018 edition of the HaBp and Castrol Oils Suppliers Limited Invitational Golf Tournament at Mulanje Sports Club (MSC) to end his two-year drought.

In the women’s category, Connie Karuku’s sheer excellence again shone like a flare when she defended the title.

Excitement was the prevalent emotion for Kauka who had a 68 net score to pip Harold ‘Shoulder’ Lungu who had 69 net.

As a sponsor, Lungu, who is HaBp managing director, was a model of modesty as he surrendered his prizes to third-placed Ajay Singh (61 net), who is also MSC golf captain.

For his feat, Kauka received a trophy, a five plate Logik gas burner and oven, K150 000 worth of fuel and 10 litres of Castrol GTX 25W50 oil.

“Today was my day. I had so many pars and a number of bogeys. This is the beginning of good things to come and come next year, I will be on top of my game,” he said.

In the women’s category, Karuku, also from BSC, had a 67 net score, a feat that earned her a trophy,  a Hisense washing machine, K80 000 worth of fuel and 10 litres of Castrol GTX 25W50 oil.

“I am proud to have defended the tile because it is a major. My game was balanced and I managed a number of pars and a few bogeys,” she said.

Her runner-up was Arnese Araujo who had a 71 net score while Faith Samati (72 net)—who also had the longest drive—was third.

With a net score of 73, veteran golfer Gilbert Chirwa won the seniors category. He pipped second-placed Bashir Shariff (74 net), who in turn, counted out Sope Kayira. Chirwa was also nearest to the pin.

Rajiv Rawat (74 net)  triumphed in the tea estates category while Prem Singh (80 net) was the runner-up while Simon Grant (81 net) was third.

Kingsly Chimdima Mhango, Grant Mwenechanya and Greig Hubbard had two clubs and got away with K33 000 each.

Lungu also had the best gross of 77 while Paul Araujo had the longest drive in men’s category.

The lubricants supplier’s technical services and sales manager Canaan Kumwenda said this year’s tournament was about informing the golfers on their migration from BP to Castrol branded lubricants.

“That is the theme of our tournament this year, but even though things have changes, the quality is still the same,” he said.

Lungu said they were impressed with the turnout of 114 golfers.

“I would like to thank you all for gracing our competition. It has been great. Keep on supporting us, we want to see you again next year,” he said.

HaBp donated K500 000 towards the maintenance of the greens.

MSC board member Jim Melrose thanked HaBp for sponsoring the event, saying it is probably the premier golf tournament in Malawi. n