Local golfers upbeat ahead of Windhoek tourney
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday June 12, 2014 13:06
The team jetted out to Namibia yesterday morning. The golfers will play 54 holes, starting with a practice match today.
On Friday the team will play 18 holes in the morning, another 18 in the afternoon and the last on Saturday.
Botswana Golf Union (BGU) secretary general, Mpho Kelosiwang told a press briefing on Tuesday that countries that will be participating at the inaugural tournament are Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
He said the idea is for the tournament to expand to countries like Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania and Kenya in the near future. Kelosiwang said each of the participating countries chose four existing tournaments that counted towards the championship. To that end, Botswana chose Orange Classics, Botswana Open, Jwaneng Open and Botswana Closed.
He explained that players would compete in three divisions: Championship Division, A Division and B Division. Masole who plays off handicap 5 will play the Championship Division, Lemogang with a handicap 7 will play in the A-Division while veteran golfer, Sematlho with handicap 17, will battle it off in the C-Division.
Kelosiwang said the tournament will give local golfers exposure and they are capable of winning their divisions.
He added that BGU has to increase the number of major tournaments in the country.
The team manager, Martin Mogomela said the championship would play a pivotal role in the development of golf in Africa. He noted that the sponsorship is a way of recognising better performing golfers in the region at amateur level.
“We expect the players to do well in the tournament because they have just taken part in Central Open. They did not do well but they are at the top of the game,” said Mogomela.
For his part, Masole said he played in Namibia last year and the course will not be a challenge. While noting that the competition would not be easy, Masole said with the preparations he had, he would cause an upset. Masole is the winner of the Orange Classics. He came second at the Jwaneng Open.
Another golfer, Lemogang said he has been playing a lower handicap for some time.
He promised to use his experience to win the tournament. The former national team captain explained that unlike other regional tournament such as Zone VI, the Windhoek Lager Africa Jacket recognises handicaps.