14-YEAR-OLD GETS NICO GENERAL CHAMPIONSHIP
by Peter Kanjere (The Nation Newspaper - 18 August 2008)


The experienced and best golfers were all at Nchalo Sports Club on a hot Saturday afternoon. But when it came to honours, the red carpet was rolled out for 14-year-old John Mphande junior.

Playing off handicap 25, the Kamuzu Academy Form IV student won the 2008 NICO General Insurance Invitational Golf championship with three shots, effectively shrugging of a field of 72 golfers.

He was clearly overawed with the occasion. Understandably his speech was brief: "I would like to thank my parents for encouraging me to play golf...thank you." If indeed golf is a sport in the country rather than a forum for social interaction as it mostly appears, then John, the son to an Illovo Sugar Estate employee is the future for golf.

He hit 18 on the front nine then 20 on return to earn 38 net in a competition played on stableford format. He walked away with a trophy and a television screen.

He parred on three holes but this was sandwiched by boggies on the opening hole and a double boggy on the third. John, who earned his first medal in his two-year old golf career, also had it tough on return.

The youngster smashed his shot against a tree on the first hole before clawing back with some birdies. He wrapped up play with a shot into the bush on the 18th located a few meters from Shire River.

Dan Phiri finished third with 35 points, one ahead of third-placed Albert Mkumbwa. Paul Araujo finished fourth with 34 points, counting out Joe Swankie on the fifth position.

David Moyo played the most golf. He got a set of binoculars. Jimmy Evans came nearest to the pin on the 18th. Furkani Gani registered his on the 13th while Phiri hit the longest drive of the day-long competition.

Speaking before prize presentation, NICO General Insurance general manager Eric Chapola said they organised the competition as one way of enhancing their business relationship with Illovo Sugar Estate, one of their biggest clients.

"NICO General appreciates the support rendered by all golfers who turned up for the event. We at NICO General believe in being different- We are working on new products which we' will introduce later in the year," Chapola said then joked. "If you are insured by NICO General, drive leisurely back to Blantyre but if you are not, drive carefully up the mountains."

NICO General donated K70.000 to Nchalo Sports Club for the maintenance of the golf course.

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