Tapela Mpuchane, Stanbic Bank Head of Business Banking
This weekend will see the Stanbic Bank Independence Trophy return for its third consecutive year. Taking place over the 21st and 22nd of September 2013 at the Gaborone Golf Club, the golfing event has established itself, over the years, as a highlight in the golfing calendar. This year’s championship will be no exception, with big names and prominent golfers expected to turn out for the Stanbic Bank sponsored event.
Stanbic Bank will be sponsoring the event to the tune of P80,000.00. This includes P40,000.00 of prize money and P40,000.00 of sporting apparel, as well as the trophy, dubbed the Stanbic Bank Independence Trophy.
“The Stanbic Bank Independence Trophy has become a calendar event that all golfers can look forward to, no matter how good your swing or handicap. It combines two hallmark events of the business world: a love of golf and a chance for increased networking on the greens. This is yet another great chance for us to get to mingle with current and potential customers of Stanbic Bank, as well as our key stakeholders.” said Stanbic Bank Botswana Head of Business Banking, Tapela Mpuchane.
The annual sporting event is hosted by the Botswana Golf Union (BGU) as part of a concerted effort to promote the sport of golf. The tournament attracts golfers from 9 golf clubs across the country, including those located in Gaborone, Phakalane, Jwaneng, Selibe-Phikwe, Francistown, Orapa, Kasane, Lobatse and Sowa.
Mpho Kelosiwang, Secretary General of the Botswana Golfers Union said with a 46 year legacy, the Independence Trophy has established itself as the cornerstone of local golfing culture, a culture that evolves and develops year on year. We pride ourselves upon offering what is in fact one of only two national golfing tournaments that offers entry for both men and women, and that’s something tremendously exciting. It is that sense of enthusiasm and dedication towards promoting this beautiful sport that we look for in a partner and the very reasons that we chose to collaborate with Stanbic Bank for three years running.”
This year’s championship is expected to attract 160 players. Entries will include men with a maximum handicap of 24 and ladies with a handicap of 30 and less. Due to the size of the field, there will be a cut off after 18 holes, where only the top 90 and ties are expected to participate on Sunday.
“We’re very excited for this year’s championship and look forward to a good chance to network over a good game or two of golf. Our relationship with the BGU, moreover, goes back a number of years, and we are pleased to strengthen it with each passing year. It’ll be an early start, no doubt, but any golfer will tell you that an early morning tee off is worth waking up for!”, Mpuchane said.
