By Shamaoma Musonda At Lusaka golf club –
ZAMBIA yesterday gave the tri-nation under-18 golf title-defence crusade a flying start with both the girls and boys teams leading their counter parts by a mile.
After the morning round which was a stroke play event, Zambia commanded a healthy lead which left the coaches and Zambia junior golf officials ecstatic and beaming confidence that the team will keep the trophies at home.
In the boys’ category, Zambia, on 18 points, led Zimbabwe by six points while Malawi was down the leader board with a just six points.
In the game against Zimbabwe, Zambia picked up eight points and then got 10 from Malawi with Zimbabwe also profiting from a fatigued Malawi, who arrived hours before tee-off, by collecting eight points from them and then four from Zambia for their 12 points.
Malawi’s six points came from the four from Zimbabwe and two from Zambia.
The day’s best score came from Zimbabwe’s Billy Geach who grossed one-over-par 74 with Zambian Stallian Daka in second with 76 and Patrick Mwendapole junior on four-over-par 77.
In the girl category, Zambia led the two neighbours by an even wider margin as they stood top on 15 points, seven better than Zimbabwe and then Malawi at the bottom with a paltry one point.
Zambia got seven points from Zimbabwe and eight from Malawi while Zimbabwe after getting just one from Zambia feasted with seven points off Malawi, who only point came from a shared score against Zimbabwe.
Nankamba Simutowe and Martha Matyola jointly brought the best net score at 77.
Zambia boys coach Patrick Mwendapole senior was full of praise for his players whom he said had executed the game plan well and hoped they keep their game up today and tomorrow.
“They have done well, this is really good considering that four of the six players I have are new to the team. They were not there in Malawi last year. I am happy and hope they continue on this path until we win again,” he said.
Zambia Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Director Chongo Kasongole praised the performance of teams adding it was a good indication of how he wanted the tournament to end.
Yesterday the teams played a tiring 38 holes abut will today and tomorrow play just 18 holes a day.