Ndola to host 2009 golf championship
By FELIX MALUNGA
THE 2009 Zambia Open golf championship has become a reality after Ndola Golf Club raised the required R850,000 (about K535.5 million) for prize money, putting to rest uncertainties that had surrounded the cosmopolitan event.
With the prize money set, tournament authorities Sunshine Tour’s directors are now expected in Ndola next week to check on progress before officially putting the championship on its August calendar.
Speaking during the official launch of the 2009 Zambia Open in Ndola yesterday, Copperbelt Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima said the Government was relieved that the international golf championship had not disappeared and paid tribute to Ndola for rising to the challenge.
Mbulakulima said the Government was proud of the strides made by the Zambia Golf Union (ZGU) and Ndola Golf Club in ensuring that this year’s tournament was a reality.
“We were worried that this legacy of failing to host international events was becoming the order of the day, but now we are relieved that the Zambia Open is back,” he said during the launch held after the Zambia Amateur Closed championship.
He said golf, like other sport disciplines, also helped significantly in boosting Zambia’s tourism potential.
Mbulakulima called on all Zambians to embrace sport as a tool to help accelerate development in the nation.
The Copperbelt provincial administration was proud to be associated with the Zambia Open championship.
To underscore the seriousness attached to sport development, Mbulakulima said President Rupiah Banda had attached Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti and his Commerce, Trade and Industry counterpart Felix Mutati to be part of the Zambia Open Organising Committee (ZOOC).
He said Mr Banda wanted to ensure the two ministers helped the golfing fraternity in raising adequate resources for the event set for the last week of August.
ZGU president Joe Malanji assured the nation that his union was geared for the tournament after raising adequate funds for the prize money.
Malanji also said Sunshine Tour did not strike off Zambia Open from its calendar but merely deferred it after ZGU requested the tournament authorities to put the event on hold.
He thanked the Ron Bouverie-led ZOOC and Ndola for their tireless efforts in ensuring the tournament was held despite the short notice.
Bouverie said his committee had made tremendous strides within a short time to mop up resources and thanked Malanji for personally getting involved in fundraising for the tournament.
“I can confidently now say the prize money is on the table. The Zambia Open will be hosted in Ndola and we promise to stage the best-ever championship,” Bouverie said.
He said with the prize money puzzle solved, ZOOC would now concentrate on mobilising more resources for other logistical requirements.
And Ndola top golfer Dayne Moore was yesterday crowned 2009 Zambia Amateur Closed champion after firing a championship score of three-under par 143, beating his closest rival Buba Samutela of Lusaka by six strokes.
The 36-hole ‘B’ Division winner was Peter Chepeshi after shooting 24-over par 170 after winning a play-off against immediate-past ZGU president Viano Kapoka.
Moore was also the 36-hole All Day net winner after posting 139 net, leaving his clubmate Jason Taylor into second position on 142 net.
In other subsidiaries, Samutela was the overall winner in the Sunday ‘A’ Division net on 69 net with Taylor taking the second slot on 71 while Bouverie got the Saturday version on 72 net beating ZGU vice-president north Allan Nyirenda into second position on 75 net.
