Villas&Golfe International Cup 2023, Angola

The day began with the early morning sunrise, at Mangais Golf Resort. Everything was ready, as the clock struck eight. On that morning, May the 20th, the golfers were getting ready for another edition of the Villas&Golfe International Cup.
It is safe to say that the beginning of the cacimbo rainy season created favourable conditions for a promising competition, without the company of excessive heat, so that the rounds took place under ideal circumstances. For the keenest players of the Villas&Golfe International Cup, the Mangais course was not a first. Located in Barra do Kwanza, in the municipality of Belas, the course is part of an estate of the same name, covering an area of 450 hectares. It has been fully operational since 2011 and boasts bungalows dotted amongst the vegetation, boasting traditional African style. Next to the Quissama National Park, the course attracts various species, from alligators to birds and monkeys, which can be spotted during a round of golf. The course was designed to high standards and quality by Portuguese architect Jorge Santana da Silva, who incorporated 18 holes with a maximum distance of around seven thousand metres, characteristics that bring it close to a championship course. With views over the Kwanza, the country’s largest river, the venue also includes a spa and a restaurant. In fact, Angola is not a golfers’ destination, but this venue has the capacity to host international competitions. And so, it was chosen by Villas&Golfe, who have been present in Angola since 2009. 

«The course was designed to high standards»

Throughout the morning, the 70 players made their way around the circuit, past palm trees, baobabs, coconut palms, lakes and an abundance of fauna and flora. In a harmonious, though competitive, atmosphere, the golfers tried their luck and their expectations seemed encouraging, to say the least. Approaching the end of the competition, the sound of the last shots could be heard, accompanied by laughter, but also by some sighs of disappointment for less fortunate perfomances. A challenging morning, shall we say, with a dash of glamour, very V&G style, that enjoyed having Banco BIC as a major sponsor and with several prestigious sponsors, such as Fabrimetal, ZAP, Cosal/Comauto and Quinta da Terrincha, besides several partners, such as Vista Alegre, BY AE, Cobermaster, Epic Sana, Olhar de Prata, Samsonite, Vidago Villa, Quinta dos Jugais, BEC and Espaços.
The sun was already high when the players and guests gathered near the lunch area, in a culmination of reencounters and exchanges, after a morning racing with adrenaline. Everything was inviting: the dynamic experiences by Banco BIC, with its mini golf competition; wines by Quinta da Terrincha and the accompanying sparkling wine from Chandon. Nor did Cosal/Comauto hold back on originality, with an exhibition of several vehicles filling the venue space. For those who wanted to catch their breath after a challenging game, ZAP did its best to create a lounge for socialising. Everything else was the result of good conversations accompanied by the opening of the lunch buffet. There was plenty of variety. From funge to mixed barbecue, the organisation did not spare a thing. The aromatic scents that wafted through the air whetted the appetite and the golfers were torn between what to choose. At the table, conversations flowed from one end to the other and the feeling of satisfaction was almost tangible. But the time had come to announce the winners and, for that purpose, everyone was willing to save trivial conversations for later. 

Before the winners were announced, V&G held a special auction as a way of supporting the charity organisation Casa dos Rapazes do Huambo. The team warmed the hearts of many children with the three million Kwanzas they raised during the initiative, largely supported by the artist Etona and Quinta Vidago Villa, responsible for the donated works and wines. In a game of «who gives the most?», the players and guests competed among themselves for the most attractive valuables, meaning that the following items were auctioned: a case of Vidago Villa wines and a bust of Queen Nzinga and the painting Afeto Maternal, by Etona. The result was a financial aid that symbolises comfort, happiness and, above all else, possibilities for the little ones. An emotional moment, which portrays what still drives human beings: solidarity. Quinta dos Jugais also joined the initiative, offering assorted hampers destined for the institution. «Villas&Golfe is an institution of good deeds. A small light that joins so many others to light up the world,» said Father Marcelino Pungulimue, Director of the Casa dos Rapazes de Huambo. 

«A challenging morning (...) with a dash of glamour»

Following this, the trophies, made by Cobermaster, an the prizes of this edition of the Villas&Golfe International Cup were awarded. On the packages and majestic boxes, you could read names like Vista Alegre, BY AE, Cobermaster, Epic Sana, Olhar de Prata, Samsonite and Vidago Villa, the big names responsible for congratulating those golfers with the best performance. So, the 1st Net prize was given to Sandro Santos, with 44 points; the 2nd Net, to Castro Camarada, with 42 points; and the 3rd Net, to José Barbosa, with 40 points. In the Gross category, the 1st prize was won by Victor Marçal, with 43 points; the 2nd Gross, Gilson Francisco, with 30 points; and the 3rd Gross, Bennie Coetzer, with 29 points. In the special categories, the Longest Drive went to Caleb Mtabvuri and the Nearest to the Pin went to Gilson Francisco. The ladies award went to Wendy ElMoutia and Rosália Rodrigues. 
The surprise prizes ranged from designer items, jewellery, bags and sunglasses, to wines with renowned labels and stays in 5-star hotels. Even so, those who did not come away with performance awards were not at any disadvantage. The organisation held multiple draws to reward those present, as a gesture of thanks and also as motivation for future editions.

«Another year of ‘mission accomplished’, bringing together a growing number of well-known public faces»

There was never any doubt about the impact of the V&G brand on people’s lives, proof of which is the testimony of Albina Assis Africano, who is a sure-fire presence at V&G tournaments since day one. Or Hélder Gomes, General Director of ImoCasais, who confirms that yet another event has gone perfectly, adding that, «it’s always been the magazine with the highest quality. Everyone wants a copy.» 
Another year of ‘mission accomplished’, bringing together a growing number of well-known public faces, from ministers to top golfers. Next year there will be more, but, before we say goodbye, the CEO of V&G left a special message to the present and future golfers: «It was a real Villas&Golfe party, we are all very happy,» promising to explore the potential of Brazil for a future event of the group. We’ll leave it here, for now, but until then, keep following the news on the V&G website and social networks. See you soon, dear golfers.