adminFBC Bank team of Livingstone Gwata, Aulia Alfazema, Willie Baira and Charles John won the 2011 Zimbabwe Corporate Golf Challenge (qualifiers to the World Corporate Golf Challenge) and won the right to compete with the world’s best corporate in Simola, Knsyna, in South Africa.
The Zimbabwe representative team did not disappoint either, coming third to Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland were crowned 2011 World Corporate Golf Challenge champions during an eventful week at Simola in Knysna, South Africa.
Zimbabwe’s representatives fielded a four-member strong team that was split into two teams due to an eleventh hour change of format. The pair of Alfazema and Baira, and that of Gwata and John achieved commendable 3rd and 9th places respectively out of 19 countries that participated.
Northern Ireland, represented by John McBurney and Tim Johnson of Nicssa and playing off 1 and 4 handicaps respectively, amassed a combined individual score of 67 points to be crowned 2011 World Corporate Golf Challenge champions. In close pursuit were India on 66 points.
India were represented by Rudratej Singh and Subhash Naidu of Close Up-Unilever who were playing off 5 and 6 respectively. The Zimbabwe pair of Alfazema off 8, and Baira off 6, was one shot shy of second position on 64 points, while Hong Kong took the unenviable most golf tag on 31 points.
A total of 19 countries took part in this year’s event, and these were Northern Ireland, India, Botswana, Malaysia, Nigeria, South Africa, Thailand, Spain, Belize, UAE/Dubai, England, Kenya, Wales, Liberia, Panama, El Salvador, Portugal, Hong Kong and Zimbabwe. Mexico were disqualified after their representatives presented incorrect credentials.
The World Corporate Golf Challenge began in the United Kingdom in 1993 in association with The Times newspaper. The intention was to “provide companies with a platform that would help enhance relationships both internally and externally”.
The World Corporate Golf Challenge is the biggest corporate golf tournament in the world and since its inception 16 years ago over one million golfers have competed across the globe for the chance to represent their country. The challenge is rotated among licensee countries that include Spain, Scotland, South Africa, England, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, India, Brazil, Guatemala, and Nigeria. — Golfzone.
Online Reporter