AFTER 12-years of waiting, the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) have finally broke a long-drought by winning their first every premier golf title, the 2017 Prime Minister’s Corporate Golf Challenge.

The four-men Ambrose team led by Port Moresby representative player Lucas Komane blitzed the strong field of 30 teams to win their first golf title.

Team MRDC together with General Manager Commercial Clifford Kasi and External Affairs Becky Berapu posing with their wins at the awards ceremony.

MRDC has been a keen supporter and promote of sporting activities in the country but have won themselves a major golfing Cup.

MRDC lifted the PM’s Corporate Golf Challenge Cup and the four players won themselves a Return Ticket to Sydney, Australia while second placed Southern Cross, also won the same prize for Brisbane leg. The little-known Tupira Surf Club team from Bogia in Madang led by Justice Nicholas Kirriwom won the third prize – a Return Ticket to Cairns, Australia.

Captain Komane who started playing golf as caddie, and then drafted into the Port Moresby golf junior program have described the win as sweet after 12-years of playing the rich-man sport.

Komane thanked his loyal sponsor, MRDC for sticking behind him and his team through thick and thin, and finally they won the major golfing tournament supported by The National newspaper.

“I want to thank the sponsor, MRDC for supporting me and my teammates. I have been playing this sport for the 12 years, and have been improving at every tournament that I played for and now we finally won a golfing event,” the Simbu man said.

The one-day Ambrose event was challenged under the strong heat and humid weather of Port Moresby but Komane was pleased with the boys who kept their focus to win the grueling 6-hour golf tournament. He thanked his teammates George Danny, Kevin Wapa and Ali Poka for the win.

MRDC General Manager Investment Clifford Kasi and Becky Berapu was on hand to celebrate the win with their sponsored team.

Kasi, a keen golfer himself said his company has invested in these players by paying their club membership and the investment paid dividend.

“We have been supporting these players by paying their tournament fees and sending them to golfing tournaments, and it was the result was pleasing with good investment by winning the event,” he said.

Kasi said he hope this is not the first one and MRDC will be out again next year to defend the title.

Senior vice president PNG Olympic Committee Mel Donald has expressed her gratitude to all the corporate sponsors for being part of this fundraising events.

She urged the sponsors to feel proud stating that “when they see any sportsmen and women they must feel proud that they have contributed by taking them this far in whatever sports they play”.

Earlier on in August, the team also participated in the OilSearch Daffodil Day Corporate Golf Challenge. They came in 18th place, but used that competition as a practice run whilst supporting a great cause.

Winners are grinners! Team MRDC with their victory spoils..