Golf Union of Malawi (GUoM) has said it has learnt a lot from South Africa following their victory at the just ended African Region 5 Amateur Golf Challenge which Malawi hosted at Lilongwe Golf Club from 18th to 20th May 2023.
GUoM president Gift Chidya Gondwe said the competition gave Malawian Golfers and technical team experience as well as exposure to new tactics of the game.
“It has been a massive experience hosting this tournament, we have exchanged talents with different teams including champions South Africa who showcased excellent performance from their experienced players. Just to let you know that South Africa had been to different continents and most of those players are turning Pro and they are talking about joining Leaf Golf and PGA so it’s been an eye to us, it’s been an exposure to us especially to our technical team and players, we have gotten alot of experience and alot of notes that we will use to beachmark and to move on for the next tournaments,” said Chidya Gondwe
Gondwe further revealed that they have lined up several plans of improving Golf in the country including revamping all Golf courses in order to give opportunities to all Malawians to take part.
Forindo Rodrick who led Malawi team as a captain and guided them to the fourth finish conceded the defeat to South Africa saying his team lacked alot to compete with their opponents.
“We failed to claim a better position but the main problem I think starts from preparations, we had short time to prepare while our opponents have already played several times abroad and also we were lacking standard equipment but we are a team capable of bringing results if given all our needs before tournaments” said Rodrick
Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule who graced the closing ceremony of the tournament hailed Golf Union of Malawi for hosting what she described as a successful tournament.
South Africa won the tournament after scooping 691 scores seconded by Zimbabwe who scored 754. Zambia acupied third position with 758 while Malawi were fourth with 764. Namibia and Eswatini finished fifth and sixth with 771 and 810 respectively.
Captain for South Africa Altin van der Merwe said good working relationship among players players and technical team was the reason for their success.
Next year the tournament will be hosted by Eswatini.
