CHIDALE IS NBS BANK 2010 GOLF CHAMP

Number one development golfer Paul Chidale survived a jungle of exasperation on the Country Club Limbe (CCL) greens to seize this year’s NBS Bank Winner of Winners Golf Championship title.

Playing with handicap two, Chidale was in a class of his own as he notched 69 nett points to repel contention from his runner-up Waseem Giga, who counted out Waseem Jussab to the third-place with 70 nett points.

Chidale, who also got two 2-clubs in the Individual Medal formatted contest, said he was lucky to have recovered from the tragic experience.

“By the time I hit the double-bogey, I already had five birdies and 10 pars.

“First of all, thanks to God and thanks to the NBS Bank for these great prizes. Thanks to my playing partners and myself. To all the losers, there is always a next time,” Chidale said.

For his feat, Chidale received a trophy and a golf bag from NBS Bank deputy chief executive officer Gilford Kadzakumanja.

Earlier, Bob Renshew won the NBS Bank December mug with 71 nett points. Tadala Malikita had nett 71 counted-in to finish on second position while Chingayipe Victor Mhango settled for the third slot.

In the ladies’ section, Beatrice Mangwana was the champion. She was followed by Carol Banda.

As the NBS Bank chief executive officer John Biziwick was presenting a cheque of K100 000 (about $657) to the CCL captain Gilbert Chirwa for the maintenance of the greens, Kadzakumanja said their bank is happy with the strong relationship it has built with its customers through golf competitions for over five years.

“Just today, we had a turnout of 124 golfers. This is how this competition helps us to create better relationships with our customers. This is not just a marketing tool but a strategic plan to understand our customers better. We create trust between ourselves through this sport,” Kadzakumanja said.

_________________________________________________

GANATRA WINS NBS OCTOBER MUG

After several attempts to make his name appear on the list of winners in the NBS Bank Monthly Mugs on the Country Club Limbe (CCL) greens, Mahesh Ganatra finally got it right when he trampled upon a field of 47 golfers to clinch the title.

Even from the glitter of his eyes as he walked energetically to the podium to receive his prize from NBS Bank marketing officer, Lilian Kawaza, one could understand Ganatra's excitement upon winning his first prestigious golf tournament in about three years.

Finishing the contest with a gross 76 points and net 65 to top reputable golfers such as newly-elected CCL captain Gilbert Chirwa and Aslam Ken who emerged runner-up with net 67 and third-placed with net 68 respectively, was enough proof that Ganatra was really determined to pull something out of the bag this year.

Stanford Mayuni, Rodrick Phiri and Hamid Patel also had something to carry home as each of them managed to hit two-clubs on the second hole.

For the first time in the history of NBS Bank Monthly Mug, there was also a ladies' category which saw Beatrice Mangwana beating eight contestants to win the initial accolade with 95 points gross and net 66 while Bridget White trailed her with gross 84 and 73net.

_________________________________________________

BARFORD WINS NBS SEPTEMBER MUG

Country Club Limbe (CCL) golf captain Ray Barford marked the end of his tenure in style when he beat 57 fellow contestants to win the NBS Bank Monthly Mug. Playing with handicap 21, Barford accumulated a gross of 89 points and 68 net to walk over his runner-up Dinis Pabali and third-placed Waseem Jussab who respectively finished with 69 and 70 net points.

During prize presentation, Barford said this victory will be memorable as it has come at a time when he is stepping down as the CCL golf captain "I am even surprised to note that my victory in the NBS Mug has come at a time when I am leaving the stage. Today, my putting was beyond reproach and I even had a birdie on the second hole," he said.

Barford, who will be officially handing over his captaincy at the CCL's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on October 6, also spiced up his triumph on the refurbished greens with a 2-club along with Pabali and Joe Swankie, NBS Bank head of retail banking Stanley Mkwamba thanked the golfers for sacrificing their time to be at the event when other big golf tournaments such as the Zain and the UGI competitions were taking place elsewhere on the same day.

_________________________________________________

VOSLOO WINS NBS AUGUST 2010 MUG

After an eight-year search for a triumph in the NBS Monthly Mug, Dan Vosloo finally found solace following his victory at Country Club Club (CCL). Vosloo joins monthly mug winners of the medal-formatted contest that have qualified for the Mug of Mugs Tournament at the end of the year. With a gross of 76 points and 71 net, the CCL member, managed to outdo 70 contestants, including his runner-up Dingaan Chirwa, who counted out Steve Brearfey to the third place with a gross of 81 and net 72.

"When your heart is up for something, you do not mind the hurdles you go through. The greens were really tough and rough today but my focus on getting my maiden NBS mug helped me so much," Vosloo said. However, the CCL golf secretary Gilbert Chirwa apologised to the golfers for the bad condition of the greens and promised to rectify the problem within the next two weeks.

Sakock Singh got two 2-clubs during the eight-year-old competition whereas Tichi Robb opted for a single 2-club. Before presenting prizes to the winners, NBS Bank marketing officer Lillian Kawaza thanked the golfers for braving the chilly weather. She announced the installation of a new facility which allows payment of electricity bills through the bank.

_________________________________________________

KARA WINS NBS JULY 2010 MUG

Former national golf team player Hussein Kara was in a rejuvenated form as he out-shone 83 contestants in the NBS Monthly Mug at Country Club Limbe (CCL) after four years of title drought on the domestic scene. Kara, who was part of the 2006 squad that participated in the Zone VI Games in Swaziland, carded-in a gross of 79 points and 69 net to regain his lost glory on the golf course. Lin Wii had a gross of 89 and net 70 to claim the second position while Dinesh Patel accumulated 79 points gross and 71 net to clinch the third slot.

"It is a nice experience to be a champion after such a long time in the wilderness," marvelled Kara. Kara had two-clubs alongside Charles Merrick, Neman Zita and Bharat Morzaria. NBS Bank marketing officer Lillian Kawaza, thanked the golfers for their continued support towards the success of the competition and she promised that the company would organise more prestigious contests in the future.

_________________________________________________

CHIMWAZA WINS NBS JUNE 2010 MUG

James Chimwaza registered a net score of 69 points to win the NBS monthly mug at Country Club Limbe. After hole 18, the golfer had 44 points on the back and 38 on front making a gross score of 78 points. Playing under handicap 13, Chimwaza beat a field of 76 golfers who braved the chilly weather, to contest at the event.

The champion attributed his victory to patience. "It was very cold and you needed to be calm. The greens were also very good," he said. Chimwaza received a mug and portable gas stove. Steve Chanje counted out Salim Panjuan to emerge on second position with a net score of 70. Both had tight on the gross score of 89 but a count out saw Panjuan claiming third position. Meanwhile. NBS business development manager Mayamiko Kalizang'oma hailed golfers for making the tournament a success.

"It was very cold today but the turnout was very good. This encourages us to continue supporting the competition." he said. At the prize presentation ceremony, golfers paid tribute to renowned golfer Chisuse Kampango who died in South Africa last week.

_________________________________________________

MAKHECHA WINS NBS MAY 2010 MUG

Barely a week after winning the TNM Quarterly Mug, Tarang Makhecha walked tall again after outclassing a field of 62 golfers to win the NBS Monthly Mug at Country Club Limbe (CCL). The 16-year-old, who finished the strokeplay formatted contest with a gross of 82 and 75 net, attributed the success on the greens to excitement of his lather's birthday. David Hayes and Suhayo Karim took second and third positions respectively, "I dedicate this mug to my father, who is having his birthday.

This was a special occasion for me. It does not get any sweeter than emerging victorious on this particular day," said Makhecha. However, the contest produced one of the historical golf records when 11 golfers, including Tochi Gill, Hamid Padesi and Gilford Kadzakumanja had two clubs each. During prize presentation, NBS Bank marketing officer Lilian Kawaza congratulated Makhecha for making it into the Champions of Champions contest in December and thanked the players for their good turn up and support.

_________________________________________________

RAIDEN WINS NBS APRIL MUG

Mojil Raiden outsmarted 155 golfers to emerge champion of the NBS Bank monthly mug at Country Club Limbe. With a net of 70, the soft-spoken Raiden pushed Bob Patel, who had 72 net counted-in, to second position as Willet Karonga slipped to third slot with a similar net of points counted-out. Raiden attributed his superb performance in the competition, played in an individual medal format, to his ambition to participate at the NBS champion of champions in December where all the monthly mug winners will fight for the annual prize.

READ MORE | GALLERY

_________________________________________________

PATEL WINS NBS MARCH 2010 MUG

Riinil Patel had a rare achievement when he outsmarted 87 golfers at Country Club Umbe (CCL) to win the NBS Bank Monthly Mug with a gross of 77 points and 68 net. No wonder he spent less than two minutes to chat with friends soon after winning his precious prize as he rushed home to probably celebrate with his family.

"I am sorry, I am rushing home," Patel, who had a birdie on the sixth hole, said as he ran towards the club's car park with his mug. Felix Mlusu, who counted back Gilford Kadzakumanja and Burdoo Mbera to positions three and four respectively with gross 80 and 70 net, was the runner-up in the competition played using the medal format.

Jimmy Evance, Donwell Malikita, Dingaan Chirwa and Mahesh Patel were among 10 contestants who had two-clubs on the day. Speaking during the prize presentation, NBS Bank's head of retail banking, Stanley Mkwamba, said they are proud to be one of the few organisations that conduct golf tournaments every month. "We express our pride every month. This time around, we would like to show our pride by notifying you, our clients, that you can now buy Nico Insurance Company's policy at any of our NBS Bank branch," Mkwamba said.

_________________________________________________

CARLOFELICE WINS NBS FEBRUARY 2010 MUG

Nando Di Carlofelice will live to remember his victory during the NBS Bank Monthly Mug at Limbe Country Club (CCL) as his first time to have won a golf competition. Carlofelice, who finished the contest with a gross of 74 shots, 68 net and handicap six to outclass a field of 52 golfers, said he was happy that his dream has finally come true.

"I have been trying my best to achieve this feat for the past few months but the chance was not coming my way. Now, 1 am happy that my relentless search for golf success has yielded me this sweet fruit.

"After emerging third in a similar competition last month, it gave me confidence that I would make it if 1 polished-up my shortfalls," said Carlofelice who also had two-clubs alongside Salif Panjwani on Saturday.

Malawi's top development golfer Paul Chidale came second after he countedout third-placed Gilford Kadzakumanja at 71 points.

According to NBS Bank marketing officer Lillian Kawaza, the support they receive from their customers is making them think of organising even more prestigious contests in the future

_________________________________________________

CHIDALE WINS NBS DECEMBER 2009 MUG

Development golfer Paul Chidale should now consider changing his status after winning the NBS Bank Winner of Winners on Saturday to add to a long list of his honours for this year.

Chidale beat a field of 119 golfers to win the title over the tournament's best of the year, who qualified after finishing in the top three of the Monthly Mug tournaments.

Waseem Giga finished second while Stiger Grueter was on third position in the Winner of Winners slot.

Grueter, also won nearest to the pin award while Nando got the longest drive award.

Chidale said he was excited for winning the tournament.

"I would like to thank NBS for wonderful prizes," Chidale said.

"The greens were also nice that there was nothing to complain about the fairways."

But the competition was affected by rains, which forced the results to be based on 15 holes instead of 18 for them to give all the participants an equal chance.

Blantyre Sports Club captain Reiner Barford said the situation also made them not to come up with official scores.

Barford applauded NBS for sponsoring the monthly mug at the club.

A 13-year-old grade nine student at St Andrews High School Rahaan Mojoo booked a place in next year's Winner of Winners competition after becoming the champion in the Monthly Mug for December.

Veteran JJ Chikapa was on second position while Issa Madi took third position to seal the last spot for next year's tournament.                                                                                                         
NBS deputy chief executive officer Gilford Kadzakumanja assured the golfers that the bank would sponsor the tournament next year.                             

"NBS would like to assure you that it will sponsor the monthly mug next year," Kadzakumanja said.

NBS also donated a cheque of K100.000 towards the maintenance of the course.

_________________________________________________

MOJOO WINS NOVEMBER 2009 MUG

Adil Mojoo beat a field of 96 golfer to win NBS monthly mug for November 2009 at Country Club Limbe.

Mojoo scored 67 points to scoop the first position and received a beautiful mug.

Sjeorf Gmefeer scored 70 points to finish second and Ahmed Abbas was third with 71 points. Mojoo thanked NBS Bank for sponsoring the monthly mug.

“I am very happy that I have won. I would like to ask my friends not to lose heart. They will win next time,” he said.

Country Club Limbe vice captain thanked NBS for fulfilling their pledge to sponsor a monthly mug. NBS Business Development Manager Mayamiko Kalizang’oma thanked all golfers for coming in their large numbers. Kalizang’oma applaudd NBS Bank for introducing a new system of paying city rates through NBS Bank.

The golf captain announced that winners of the mug qualified for NBS Bank winners of winners’ golf to be held on December 5.

_________________________________________________

JUSSAB WINS OCTOBER 2009 MUG

Youthful golfer Wasili Jussab on October 17, 2009 carried the day in the NBS Monthly Mug after seeing off a challenge from 73 golfers at country Club Limbe.
Playing off a hand cap 13, Jussab who had a gross of 80 and net of 76 got a carpet cleaner and a mug.

“I am excited to have won this tournament. I think consistency played a big part in my victory.

“I would like to thank NBS Bank for its continued support towards golf. We had a wonderful time out there,” he said.

Jon Gift Mwakhwawa was the runners up with 68 nett and received a mini braii while Paul Chidale came third with 72 gross and nett of 70.

NBS Bank business development manager Mayamiko Kalizang’oma thanked all the golfers for their patronage in the event.

Kalizang’oma informed the golfers that NBS Bank has launched an internationally accepted Visa Card- credit and debt-which they can use abroad.

_________________________________________________

MORZARIA WINS NBS MAY MUG

Vaju Morzaria posted a net score of 69 points to win the NBS Monthly Mug at Country Club Limbe. After hole 18 Morzaria netted 40 points on front and 41 on the back, a feat that helped him triumph against a field of 72 golfers. It was an exciting moment for the winner who could not remember the last time he won a tournament.

"Some years have passed without winning. I am happy that at long last I have won," he said. Morzaria attributed his triumph to concentration. "I concentrated a lot today that's why I came out on top. I should also thank NBS for sponsoring the tourney," Morzaria, who received a moon chair as a prize, said.

Felix Mlusu counted out Nemon Zita on second position with a net score of 71 points. Mlusu received a wall clock as his prize while Zita got a charcoal grill for finishing on third position. NBS head of retail banking Stanley Mkwamba said he was impressed with the turnout of golfers. "We had 71 golfers which was very positive because on a weekend like this one there are many events," he said. He also promised fantastic prizes in the next tournaments.