Mphande wins Afrox Malawi golf

Afrox Malawi on Saturday crowned John Mphande as 2012 champion of its Invitational Golf Tournament played at the greens of Nchalo Sports Club.

Mphande shot 36 points, one shot ahead of his runner-up Dan Phiri. Paul Aranjo came third on 33 points during an event described by many golfers as well hosted.

“I did not miss targets anyhow. If I had, I would have lost the game. You, know, I did not play golf last year, and for this year, this is the third one for me. Frankly speaking, I put much effort,” said Mphande.

Nester Msowoya got the nearest to the pin prize whereas Furkan Gani got the longest drive prize.

Deynes Pretorius was crowned champion in the ladies categories after amassing 34 points. Her runner-up was Agnes Chiweshe. The third prize went to Dianna Kambale who also emerged the longest drive winner in the competition that was patronised by six lady golfers. Five were from Blantyre whereas one came from Lilongwe.

Mphande received a 3 gas burner BBQ whereas Pretorius got a skottel braii. Second and third winners in the two categories won themselves cooker tops and grill-o-gas, among other prizes.

Afrox Malawi managing director Boniface Chima assured the golfers of continued sponsorship saying, the company’s emphasis is to get more advice from its clients on products it provides.

“Ours is to make sure that both Afrox Malawi and our clients make business gains out of the tournament. Above all, as we play golf, we are also interested in meeting new clients and learn what they want. With Nchalo, it was like feting Illovo and Unitrans, our key customers,” said Chima.

Afrox Malawi pumped in K4 million (about $16 000) for the event which attracted golfers from Blantyre Sports Club, Country Club Limbe, Mulanje and Nchalo. Money collected through registration amounting to K150 000 (about $600) was donated to the host club for maintenance of the greens.

This is the second Afrox golf tournament this year. The first one was in Dwangwa in May. Prospects are high that the company will hold a similar tournament in Mzuzu later this year.

Nchalo Sports Club captain Chris Mtileni was upbeat about the tournament: “Organisation of the invitational tourney has been a success as evidenced by the turnout and prizes won in both men and women categories.”