Sponsor cries foul in Tri Nation tourney

A day after National Bank of Malawi made possible the MK2 million Tri Nation Youth Golf Tournament featuring hosts Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia, the bank said it was suddened print journalists who attended the official launch did not live up to their expectations.

NBM representative at the event, Wilkins Mijiga said despite having paid 'allowances' to the two main dailys, there was no article in the newspapers about the event.

"We should appreciate this is a great sporting activity that involves other countries apart from Malawi. We have to learn to love our country and do everything to put it on the map. I am disappointed there is nothing in the press about this important event," he said, adding he did not mean the press to cover the event from NBM's promotional aspect, but to hype the international event.

Journalists at the prize presentation ceremony two days later said: "They were not interested in the so-called allowances..." and distanced themselves from the Monday press who did not attend the closing ceremony.

On its part AnzeniGOLFER, Malawi's only golf magazine, said it was available throughout the event and also attended the Friday Malawi Open at the same venue, the Lilongwe Golf Club.

Tough day for Zambia's Eto in Tri-Nation Junior Championship

The 8th of December 2008 was not like any other ordinary day for the 21 young golfers from Zambia, Zimbabwe and host Malawi. It was a great day when the Tri-Nation International Youth Golf Tournament was officially launched and where hopes from visiting top-notch golfers like Eto from Zambia were still fresh for a head start.

It never came to be when Tuesday in the matchplay show-down Eto's team mate angered the youngster enough to disturb his form.

On the 16th, though his team was 2 down to Malawi's side, Eto's frenzy grew when a team mate missed on ushering him straight for the green - where in his adrenalin crazed state he chuffed a putt, putting Zambia on the wrong foot.

"As captain I still have to generate morale in my team mates, but this really drove me wild and I just could not quite concetrate. I messed up but I really should not show that to my mates if we are to pull out a win come Wednesday and become champions on Thurday," he told Anzeni GOLFER magazine.

The youngster then refused to put his eggs in one basket by philosophically declaring any team was good to win the tournament.

"Malawi is good. So is Zimbabwe and ourselves. In this game anything can happen. Anyone can win," he added.

The tournament was funded to the tune of MK2 million by National Bank of Malawi (NBM) and representative Wilkins Mijiga said as Malawi's biggest bank they thought it wise to take part in shaping the youth as part of their corporate responsibility.

Deputy Minister of Youth Development and Sports Lewis Kadam'manja officially launched the tourney on Monday watched by Golf Union of Malawi representative for Northern and Central Regions Stallard Mpata, Malawi Junior Golf Association representative Clement Chilingulo, and Lilongwe Golf Club Men's team captain Ben Wandawanda.

Former Malawi golf professional coach Baylis was also available, only this time on the Zimbabwean side. Malawi is coached by assistant national coach Chris Kachiguma.

A Malawi Junior Open Championship is expected on Friday and the two visiting teams may participate.

Golf start for Hazel Warren?

Well, she may not be interested in golf, but Malawi's rep to BBA3 can sure help bring more younger lasses into the game.

Having the MK14 million slip through her fingers does not, in any way, take her off one more good deed, though peculiar it may sound for her.

We at AnzeniGolfer we believe Hazel can do her part, and use her newly found position in the local celeb world, to also drum up staches of cash through charity appearances and events of all manner at the country's stretch of golf facilities.

In mind we have the Bingu Silvergrey Foundation tournaments, the one off charity stints by the World Food Programme, the Lions Clubs, and similar to those for the late First Lady Ethel Mutharika and golf-pro and national coach late Gilliam Kapito, among many others.

Whatever the take, our next edition this December 2008 will sure feature these events, and continue to push for such 'celebs' to make use of golf as a sport to do more for the underprivileged.

After all, would this not attract more younger lasses to swing them clubs when she socks her pride (not that we are putting her in the negative limelight, we respect her whims - hairstyles and bridal effects) and shows up at some golf event.

Who knows, she may be our guest of honour when we launch AnzeniGolfer magazine in the near future.

Watch out for our next copy!

25 handicap Ng'oma steals MSB LAdies Mug

She could not have done anything better than show she is really vice captain by winning the June MSB Monthly Mug on Saturday 2nd played at the Country Club Limbe.

The Blantyre sports club material, Stella Ng'oma, amassed a net score of 74 by taking 49 in front nine and a 50 out to lead the winnings. She was followed by Agness Mwale with a handicap of 29 and net 75 (47 in and 57 out) and 23 handicap Carol Banda came third with net 75 (48 in and 50 out) after being counted out.

The lady also collected the nearest to the pin. Ladies captain and super golfer Roza Mbilizi did not count that much on the day.

The May Mug was won by Brenda Green seconded by Ng'oma with Mbilizi coming third on a sleezy July 26 day. Green, a Zimbabwean, will leave for Canada soon and a farewell golf tournament at Country Club Limbe has been organised for her Thursday 7th.

MSB sponors the Ladies Golf Union og Malawi Monthly Mugs since February at the Blantyre Sports Club where Farida Kharodia put herslef on the diary as the first winner.

Head of Credit Jerome Banda said: "A lady is like the neck of the family..." as his mother used to say.

"The neck tells you what is happening around you and so do ladies. They tell their spouses what is good for the family and we target ladies because through them we can get support from the men," he added.

Mbilizi on her part asked MSB Marketing Manager Dora Banda to join the sport. She retorted she was already in practice and would be on the truf as soon as she got a handicap.

Chimdima joins NBS race

Collecting net 69, Chimdima Mhango led the way at the Country Club Limbe to win the 2008 August NBS Monthly Mug - a feat that has seen the avid golfer join the race to topple Winner of Winners defender Shou-ng Huang. His second in command was Farkan Gani with 71 net and S.M. Patel who came third with a net 72.

Chimdima joins January champion Paul Chidale (seconded by by Harold Lungu and with Vajoo Morzaria coming third), February winner Bryan Davy after counting out Chidale (Charles Merrick came third), Lester Tandwe who had a dounle take in March and June (followed by Ralph Kamoto and Donbell Mandala in March - and Omar and Mahesh Patel in June), veteran Bernard Chizaka in April with a net 68 (followed by teenager Armin van der Walt with net 69 and Duncan Chidzankufa with net 70), John Magombo in May (with Yusuf Raidhan on net 71 counting out Neemon Zita with the same score).

Marketing Officer Lillian Kawaza asked Mhango and team to continue supporting the bank during the Saturday 2nd presentation ceremony.

Busy golf schedule this quarter

Malawi is awash of golf tournaments this quarter - till December! The situation results from a number of sponsoring corporate institutions having done with their annual financial calendars and the realisation for the need to be seen to be giving back to clients and the community.

The monthly Tnm mugs will continue at the LGC and BSC traditional venues, the NBS monthly mags rage on at the traditional CCL and Mulanje golf courses, the Carlsberg Champion of Champions await the December final take, as does the Tnm and NBS Bank winner of winners.

Other golf events include those by UGI at Kasasa Golf Course, Dwangwa in Nkhotakota, BP Malawi's Golf Day at LGC, MASM's health challenge at the Mzuzu Golf Club. Toyota Malawi's Toyoplus tourneys also bill the list.

MTL is also not left behind just as is Standard Bank with its monthly Ball formats, NBM's champion of champions, and a string of golf events through a range of charity raiser tournaments supported by Citizen Insurance, NedBank, DHL, ECOBank, and various other notable institutions.

For more information on events, buy a copy of AnzeniGOLFER Magazine on the shelves now. Nest edition this July.

Baby golfers to make it into golf magazine

It is not a secret anymore. Golfers who bring along their babies and toddlers to golf tournaments will now enjoy seeing their little ones in AnzeniGOLFER magazine from it s next edition.

Speaking to MaGo, managing editor said it was important to set the pace for toddlers in the world of golf.

"If we cannot do this by recognising their presence at tourneys, who else will," said Lungu.

As if that is not enough, AG will also host new page competition where pictures of golfers, strating with women this edition, will be printed and readers will be asked to fill in th captions, complete with the golfer's name (correctly spelt) and the venue of the pictorial act.

"We intend to improve interaction among golfers and readers as they will have to meet the captured golfer to ask how exactly they spell their name. Undisclosed prizes will be given out every edition for the funny and most fantastic caption experienced," added Lungu.