02 Jul 2014

Sowa golf club ladies team captain, Ntando Ramphethu has been named Makgadikgadi open champion.

After competing in the Makgadikgadi Open championship for four years and failing to grab the crown, Ramphethu made history last weekend by winning the crown.

She wrapped the game with a gross net of 173 ahead of Catherine Mosimanekwena with 194 and Molly Kgamme who settled for 206 gross net.

Ramphethu noted that it was through sheer hard work and support from her young caddie whom she said could read her strength and weakness during the game, something she said helped her produce a splendid performance.

Unlike other players who have to choose a new caddie from the young and old groupies who crowded the golf course during such tourneys, Ramphethu said she had been with her caddie for the past two years.

With the absences of both defending champions, Minky Molatlhegi and Leroy Permain at this year’s tournament, it was open for every player to scoop the title.

Peter Podise of Francistown golf club stood out with a gross net of 151 for the A division category and was crowned the champion on the men’s side. Podise beat Walter of Orapa and Victor Thapelo of Sowa who scored a gross net of 154 and 167 respectively to be the ultimate winner.
In other divisions, Francistown golf club players who made a comeback in the golf course showed their presence as they scooped both C and D Divisions titles.

Robert Letlole won the C division championship ahead of his runner up Dinotshi Nkaisang of Sowa who was the lead man on Saturday net with an overall net of 143.

Noah Majube with an overall gross net of 147 took home the D division title beating the runner John Zungu of Orapa and Simon Ramphethu of Sowa.

The president of Botswana Golf Union, Simon Ramphethu said this year’s tournament experienced low turn-out because the tournament had to be squeezed in a period of a month due to African Youth games which took place in May.

He said usually in their calendar of events, they host one tourney per month and because of the games some of their tournaments had to be deferred noting that a fortnight ago there was the Central Open in Selibe Phikwe and some players because of their participation at that competition failed to make it to Makgadikgadi.

He, nonetheless, said they are hopeful many people will attend the Kasane event next month followed by the Francistown Open at the end of August. ENDS