Makawa wins Airtel Golf, donates prizes

Nickson Makawa ended his long wait for a major title after winning the Airtel Malawi Golf Tournament at Thyolo Sports Club (TSC) on Sunday with 45 points.

Makawa, who is Airtel Malawi zone manager for Eastern Region, overcame a field of 78 golfers and pushed seasoned golfers Sopie Kayira (44 points) and Willet Kalonga (43 points) to second and third, respectively.

However, by virtue of being an Airtel employee, his prizes were automatically forfeited. On their part, the other golfers agreed to accord Makawa his championship prizes.

But Makawa stunned them when he made prompt donations of all the prizes he won to some fellow golfers and TSC.

Paul Chidale won the longest drive.

In the ladies category, Bose Kamphulusa emerged the champion with 41 points.

But it was a close shave for Kamphulusa as she emerged the winner after counting out veteran golfer Margaret Mkwanda.

Beatrice Mangwana had the longest drive in the ladies category and Joline Bapu-Perreira was the nearest to the pin.

Makawa, the champion for the men’s category, said the Saturday golf day for Nchalo hardened him off for the hot weather condition.

“I have been a runner-up in a number of tournaments, so I have won because it was hot. I had another tournament on Saturday which was as good as a practice for the Airtel event,” he said.

For Kamphulusa, her consistency paid off having recovered from poor performance on front nine.

“I was really calm although my performance on front nine was not good having scored 19 points,” she said.

Airtel Malawi director of enterprise Rachel Mijiga described the third of this year’s Airtel Golf Series as successful.

She said besides helping to develop the game, the tournaments offer the company a platform to interact with their customers and get a feedback on products and services that they offer as one of the leading mobile phone service providers in the country.

TSC golf captain Prem Singh applauded Airtel for the sponsorship to the club.

Airtel Malawi also donated K200 000 towards maintenance of the course.

The company will hold another tournament at Kasasa Golf Club in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota and wrap this year’s series at Lilongwe Golf Club.