24 Sep 2014

Geofrey Nchini was crowned champion of the 2014 Stanbic Bank Independence Trophy tournament which came to an end at the Gaborone Golf Club on Sunday September 21.

Maria Machailo-Ellis claimed the ladies title with a score of 147 points over two days of the competition.

Nchini finished the 36 holes competition, which is one of the biggest tournaments staged by Botswana Golf Union annually, with an overall score of 140 points in the men’s category.

He also claimed the best net prize in day two of handicaps 10-16 category to win an overall prize of P4 000.

Aobakwe Nyere was the overall runner-up with a score of 140 points while Moses Modidi settled for third position with a score of 143 points.

Machaillo-Ellis, who also claimed the best nett prize in the ladies A-division played in 0-15 handicaps, fended off tough competition from Meera Chandra and Kate Senye to claim the ladies title.

Chandra finished in second place with a score of 149 points, while Senye came third with 150 points.

The championship which was played in three division of handicaps between 17-24 for men, and two divisions between handicaps 0-30 for the ladies, was sponsored by Stanbic Bank to the tune of P80 000.

BGU after consultation with Botswana Ladies Golf Union, opened the event to lady golfers in a move aimed at improving the quality of the ladies by giving them competitive opportunities.

The tournament director, Andrew Hall said the competition managed to attract golfers locally from Gaborone, Francistown, Orapa, Selebi Phikwe, Jwaneng, and abroad from Zimbabwe, and Zambia and South Africa.

Stanbic Bank manager Louis van Ravesteyn said the bank was privileged to be associated with the Independence Trophy tournament as sponsor.  ENDS