RAYMOND MATHONSI ESRIC PRO GOLF CHAMP

MBABANE – Raymond Mathonsi was yesterday crowned champion of the Eswatini Royal Insurance Corporation (ESRIC) Professional Golfers tournament.

Mathonsi beat a field of 11 professional golfers after carding a total gross of 146 points and four over par. He scored 71 points in the first round and 75 points in the second round of the two day tournament. The runner-up, Meshack Zwane finished on 152 points and 10 over par and in third place was Peter Dlamini with a gross total of 154 points and 12 over par. Oscar Dube and James Pennington who plays under the Sunshine Tour were tied on 155 gross points and 13 over par and were placed fourth and fifth respectively. Taking to the podium during the prize presentation held yesterday at Nkonyeni Golf Estate conference room, the champion thanked the Eswatini professional Golfers committee chaired by Musa Mdluli for sticking with the golfers regardless of the challenges encountered during the course of the COVID-19 era. Mathonsi also thanked ESRIC for sponsoring the tournament which he said was not only to the benefit of the professional golfers but for the country at large.

practice

“To the golfers, thank you for showing up. In order to win, you need to practice. Nobody is good enough to coach themselves and if you need help, get someone that knows what teaching golf is all about. Go out there and practice, I will be waiting,” said Mathonsi. Commenting about the scores, as noted that none of them managed to be on par or under plus the high gross points, Eswatini Professional Golfers Association (EPGA) President Musa Mdluli informed the golfers that in the next tournament, only golfers with over 85 points would be allowed to play.

“We noticed that although the number of professional golfers has increased from 11 to 21, the scores were not so good. It’s not about the numbers but quality and to motivate you to up your game, if you come back with a score of below 85, you will not be allowed to play in the next Professionals’ tournament,” said Mdluli. On behalf of the golfers, the runner-up also extended words of gratitude to the sponsor and further acknowledged the EPGA Committee and senior golfers for maintaining their status even during challenging times. “We are thankful to the sponsor and we appreciate what you are doing for us. We are the senior professional golfers since 2005 and we are happy to see the numbers growing. For Eswatini, 21 golfers is amazing. It is history for the country,” said Zwane.

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