By FELIX MALUNGA-
ZAMBIA’S budding junior golfer, Timothy Sondashi put up a near-flawless performance in Namibia at the weekend when he shot an impressive one-over-par 217 to win the inaugural Windhoek Lager Africa Jacket Challenge.
Sondashi, who was the best amateur player at the recent Zambia Sugar Open in Lusaka, beat local favourite, Paul Ndeilenga by seven strokes to be the first golfer to have his name etched on the coveted trophy.
Facing stiff opposition from other top contenders from four other countries at the Windhoek Golf and Country Club, the Chibuluma player started his campaign on a somewhat poor three-over par 75 before swinging into gear with successive scores of one-under-par 71 on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
Ndeilenga, who started positively by shooting 71 on Thursday, saw his game crumbling as he carded four-over-par 76 on the second day before finally ending on five-over-par 77 for a total 224 to finish runner-up.
According to the results sent from Windhoek by Zambia Golf Union (ZGU) vice-president south, Innocent Chalabesa, Botswana’s David Masole was third after carding 78, 77 and 83 for a total 238.
Chilanga Golf Club’s B Division player, Boyd Kapalamoto came out ninth out of 14 participants after scoring 87,78 and 91 for a total 256 over three days.
This first Windhoek Lager Africa Jacket Golf Challenge attracted players from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, former Ndola Golf Club captain, Gary Rutherford has announced his candidature for the post he vacated some years back with a pledge to turn around the fortunes at the club.
Rutherford, who will battle for the captainship with Chris Mtonga on Thursday, said being a successful business executive, he hoped to attract several corporate entities to help improve the image of the club.
Incumbent captain, Major Humphrey Mutambo, who is ZGU treasurer, will not recontest his post. First Quantum Minerals’ Andries Scott is unopposed for the post of club president while former Zambia Rugby Union vice-president, Clavel Nguluta and Actor Kaambwa will clash for the position of vice-captain.
Colonel Edmond Miti is unchallenged for the post of secretary just like Ian Robinson as a committee member.
And during the Ndola Captain’s Prize competition, UR Patel emerged winner after scoring 38 points, one better than Nguluta and Ron Bouverie. However, Nguluta picked up the runners-up spot after winning a count back over Bouverie.