South African Wins Multichoice Golf Tournament
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday July 14, 2014 15:05
The second position went to Modiri Phuthego from Botswana while another South African, CK Kapambwe scooped the third spot. The two-day annual tournament which was played over 36 holes at Gaborone Golf Club started on Friday. Sixty-six local players, 33 South Africans and 21 Basotho participated in the competition.
Speaking to Sport Monitor, Rathebe said he did not prepare for the tournament. He explained that the trick in any golf competition is to stay on the fareware. He pointed out that it was the first time he played in Botswana and he is not used to the course. He said the course was fast, but he managed to play well due to the assistance he got from his caddie, Thapelo Mhlanga from Mochudi.
“We made a formidable team. Golf is an individual sport and you compete with yourself. You do not have to concentrate on how other players are doing,” explained Rathebe. He said if youngsters want to a career in the sport, they should have discipline and passion. Rathebe stated that golf is an expensive sport and there is need for support from parents and companies. He said Botswana has good golfers and the only advantage that South Africa has is abundance of golf courses.
The winner of the weekend tournament was rewarded with a night for two at a Wilderness Safaris Lodge in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve worth P36,000. The second prize winner will sleep at Mashatu Main Camp for two nights in a package worth P9,600. The tournament organiser, Batlhalefi Leagajang said it was meant to promote sport tourism in the country. He stated that promoting the country is not the role of Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) alone but all Batswana.
He explained that the same tournaments are held in South Africa (Lekoa Classic) and Lesotho (Nedbank Mohokare Classic). Leagajang said participants had an opportunity to build relations with each other during the tournament. He said the idea is to grow the tournament in years to come and hold it in places like Kasane.