WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA | Another exciting and nail-biting Windhoek Open golf tournament, sponsored by Ongos Valley, took place at Windhoek Golf Club on Saturday and Sunday.

Top players from across the SADC region showcased their talent and produced some thrilling golf to challenge the local contenders.

Namibia’s Likius Nande emerged as the winner by three shots (69,75, 73) against Gilbert Chalwe from Zambia (70, 69, 75), after the two had been jointly at the top of the overnight leaderboard.

A strong field of 84 players, including ladies, participated in the tournament where the Namibia Amateur Golf Union (NAGU) assessed the performance of its national team prospects with a view to next year’s continental challenges.

The Windhoek Open is a NAGU event with local players competing for merit points on the national ranking. Moreover, the tournament has World Amateur Golf Ranking points status and thus attracted players from as far as Uganda, Zambia and South Africa, as well as locally from Grootfontein, Walvis Bay, Henties Bay and Mariental, Oshakati, Tsumeb, Omeya and Windhoek.

Players in the A & B divisions played 54 holes over two days (36 and 18) whereas the C division only played 36 holes (18 per day).

Toady Gurirab, newly elected president of NAGU, congratulated the WGC management and golf committees in respect of the arrangements to make this a successful event.

Inocencio Verde, representing Ongos Valley, lauded the efforts of players coming from afar to compete. He also confirmed that Ongos would sponsor Windhoek Open again. This was met with great applause by the players present at the prize-giving.

WGC extended its heartfelt appreciation to Ongos Valley for the generous sponsorship, which included meals and refreshments on and off the course making this event truly memorable.

Overall best gross:

4 Kyle Johnson (Walvis Bay) 219 (76, 70, 73).

Overall best nett: 1 Alfred Ndyenge (Windhoek) 207 (66, 68, 73);

2 Elias Mulombelwa 211 (72, 72, 67).