Chuma shows class to win Chai Open golf

By BENEDICT TEMBO

NKANA golfer Michael Chuma demonstrated yet again why he is the country’s top golfer by winning the 2026 Chainama Hills Golf Club Open tournament on Sunday.

Chuma carded 217 gross in the 36 hole event to emerge victorious from a field of 70 golfers.

The soft spoken golfer, who delivered a strong performance after securing second place overall at the 2026 Africa Region Five Golf Championship in eSwatini, thanked the Nkana Golf Club led by General Manager Marlon Kananda for the support rendered to the golfers.

He also thanked his mother who was among his cheerleaders.

The triumph at Chainama was Chuma’s second in a row, after having bagged the Mufulira Open tournament last weekend.

Musonda Kapoma of Lusaka Golf Club trailed in second position on 222 gross.

“My performance was fine though my putting was not good, I was missing so many putts, but I enjoyed playing Chai Open and have learnt a lot. I’ll keep on working hard,” Kapoma, who is now looking forward to playing in the Mopani Zambia Open in Kitwe and the KCM Open in Chingola, said.

Keagan Bwalya was the net overall winner with 216, winning on countback from Marlon Chitalu.

Stallian Daka won the ‘A’ Division with 228 gross ahead of Kabwe Golf Club captain Denmark Mulambo, who had 230 gross.

“Well, I hit a lot of fairways and greens during the event, just that my putter was cold. One very important commendable thing the Chainama executive has done is to have the greens wet, we could hit greens,” Mulambo said.

He said Michael (Chuma)’s putter was hot, especially on the last day and he took advantage of all the par fives.

“Equally Musamba (Kapoma) converted his birdie opportunities,” Mulambo said, complementing his rivals.

Moses Njobvu was the ‘B’ Division champion at 263 gross with Zambia Army Warrant Officer and Chainama’s own Evans Chalubile being the runner-up on 271 gross.

Jacob van Wyk was the nearest to the pin victor with Leonard Chibwe grabbing the longest drive accolade.

Chainama Hills Golf Club tournament secretary Simbirai Simwinga commended Big Tree and the Zambia Golf Union for sponsoring the tournament.

Ends.