Rookie Liphalana scoops Monthly Mug
NTHAKO MAJORO
MASERU – Newcomer Rethabile Liphalana won the November Monthly Mug last Sunday at the Maseru Golf Course in Maseru to become the new female golf champion. Liphalana, who started playing golf in July this year and made her debut at the Monthly Mug in September, thrashed her competition with a 66 net score. The tournament attracted 43 local golfers whose majority was made up of male golfers.
Mokhachane Mopeli ended the tournament 1st Runner-Up with 70, while the Maseru Golf Club captain, Thabang Khabo, finished on third position with 72. “I am so happy to have won this tournament. It took me a lot of preparation to achieve this feat,” said Liphalana in a post-tournament interview with Public Eye last Sunday. However, she said it hasn’t been easy for her to take the title home.
She continued, “being new to the game, there were numerous challenges during the tournament, but at the end of the day its is that count. It was fairly tough, but this is reasonable for a prepared player to overcome and win.” Liphalana further said: “This was my second shot at the monthly tournament. I started competing in September while I actually started playing golf towards the end of July and decided to give it a try in September.” Liphalana was among 16 Maseru Golf Club players who a fortnight ago competed at the Lekoa Classic Golf Tournament in the Free State, South Africa.
Even though she did not win, the rookie golfer said the Lekoa Classic increased her chances of making a mark at the November Monthly Mug. “I also played well there and I think it is from that tourney that I really began to realise my game and to actually recognise that I can play, and play well for that matter,” she said. “I am not sure of the position but overall I know I played very well.” Liphalana is looking forward to maintaining her golfing performance during the upcoming Monthly Mug.
“It is likely to be a tough one but I believe it is a matter of preparation and trying to strengthen my game from where I am at the moment. “I cannot really say I have played to a level that I will maintain to keep winning; I want to climb to heights higher than this in forthcoming tournaments,” a confident Liphalana continued. The next Monthly Mug tournament, in December, will be the last domestic golf competition for the Maseru Golf Club this year.
