Zambia wins ECA golf title

.zm” class=”f”>Zambia Daily Mail by Online Editor on 6/5/13

By CECILIA ZULU
ZAMBIA has won the East and Central All Africa Golf Challenge Trophy after overcoming former champions Tanzania by 33 shots in a tightly contested tournament which ended yesterday at the Lusaka Golf Club.
The Zambian golfers, who underperformed on the third and final day, were still better than their other contenders and also benefited from a thick points cushion accumulated in the first two days of the competition.
Zambia shot 240 yesterday for a final tally of 717 while Tanzania settled for second after scoring 248 yesterday to finish on 750.
Uganda finished third on 767, followed by Kenya with 835, Reunion with 857 and Malawi on 887.
Davenshi Naik, Zambia’s star on day one and two, could not quite replicate her good performance as she wrapped up the tournament with 82.
Bogeys on holes three, four, five, nine and 11 as well as a double bogey on 10 marked her day.
“I feel bad.  My day has ended on a bad note.  I thought I would improve in my last game but things went sour. This is sad but I am happy that we have won the championship,” she said.
On day one and two Naik scored 77 and 76, respectively.
14-year-old Tina Nawa was the star yesterday with a score of 76 – the best for the day among all golfers.
Tina wrapped up her incredible performance with a delightful birdie on the 18th – perfect recovery from a double bogey on the 17th.
On day one she shot 82 followed by 81 on day two.
Her sister, Melissa, added 82 to yesterday’s score with veteran golfer Hilda Edwards getting 83.
Zambia manager Moono Mwila said the team deserved the victory.
Tanzania, who were represented by Madina Iddi, Hawa Wanyeche, Angel Eaton and Neema Olomi, blamed the loss of the title to inadequate practice.
Team manager Anita Siwale, however, commended the Zambian golfers for winning the championship.
“The course was challenging. They needed at least two days of practice, putting was also a problem for us.  But I feel these guys won because they were hosting. It added to their advantage but they are good golfers although ours are better,” she said.
Tanzania are 2009 and 2011 champions.
Today the golfers have rest day to prepare for the Zambia Open Ladies Golf championship, which tees off on Friday.
Tomorrow, sponsors and golfers will interact in an international day golf championship.