Dar es Salaam. Top professional and elite golfers are today expected to compete in the second edition Tanzania’s Lina Pro-Am Tour event at the Morogoro Gymkhana Golf Course in Morogoro.
The golfers include Hassan Kadio, Nuru Mollel, Fadhil Nkya, Elisante Lemblis, Braison Nyenza, Frank Mwinuka, Frank Roman and John Said.
Others are John Leonce, Rajab Iddy, Salum Dilunga, Athuman Chiundu, Hamis Ally, Iddy Mzaki, Faray Chitengwa, Hassan Mwanyenza, Justin Helela and Abdallah Sanzagala.
The list also has Rodrick John, Geofrey Leverian, Isaack Wanyeche, Daudi Helela, Aidan Nziku, Stanley Sanga and Angel Eaton, who is the only professional lady golfer in the country. There are also Madina Iddi, Neema Olomi and Vicky Elias.
The event is scheduled to tee off at 7pm, according to Yasmin Chali, who is the secretary general of the Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU) and a family member of the late Lina Said Nkya.
On the list is also Culture, Arts, and Sports minister Damas Ndumbaro.
Chali said a total of 25 professional golfers and 24 elite amateurs will compete in the main 72-hole event while 72 amateurs from divisions A and B will compete on Saturday and Sunday.
There will also be ladies who will compete in silver and bronze categories, juniors and seniors. She noted that among the 25 professionals, the top 10 will be awarded cash prizes while among the 12 elite amateurs, the top five will be awarded prizes.
According to Chali, 72 golfers in divisions A, B, ladies, juniors and seniors will compete in the 36-hole stroke play event.
There will also be for 54-cut and first and second placed golfers for each category, who will also be awarded prizes.
“All preparations are complete and we are expecting to have a thrilling event as all golfers target silverware that will give them lucrative cash prizes,” said Chali.
The first event, held from February 29 to March 3, saw Arusha Gymkhana Club golfer Nuru Mollel emerging the winner.
However, it was not easy feat for Mollel to secure the victory as he faced a strong opposition from another professional golfer in the country, Fadhil Nkya, of the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club.
Both golfers recorded 281 strokes each in the exciting event, which Mollel recorded 68, 71, 71, and 71 strokes, while Nkya scored 68, 72, 71, and 70 strokes.
Apart from commemorating the late Lina Said Nkya, the tournament also aims to sharpen the skills of both professional and amateur golfers in the country to attain the highest standard.
The late Lina, also known as Mother Golfer, passed away on January 19, 2021, in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region.
Lina significantly contributed to the transformation of the renowned Kobe Golf Tournament, elevating it from a local event to a nationally-recognized competition spanning over 11 years.
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