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Tanzania golfer wins Kenya Coast Ladies Open tourney
Tanzania’s famous lady golfer Neema Olomi plays a shot during the past competition.
PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Olomi, who is also one of Tanzania’s national women’s team golfers, started with a round of 75 gross on day one of the event before carding 77 in the closing round to collect a total of 152 gross.
Dar es Salaam. Arusha Gymkhana Club lady golfer Neema Olomi waved Tanzania’s national flag well on Wednesday after winning the third leg of the Kenya Ladies Coast Open at Mombasa’s Nyali Golf Course in Kenya.
Olomi, who is also one of Tanzania’s national women’s team golfers, started with a round of 75 gross on day one of the event before carding 77 in the closing round to collect a total of 152 gross.
Tanzania’s golfer managed to beat Martha Babirye of Uganda on count-back in Division A.
Babirye also grossed 152 strokes after starting well in the first round, scoring 74 before recording 78 in the final round.
Olomi also finished second in the Leisure event before she was placed in sixth place in the Mombasa Ladies Open Tournament.
Apart from Olomi, the event featured Lugalo golfer Vicky Elias, who was placed seventh after grossing 156.
Other Tanzanians who featured in the event were Ayne Magombe, Loveness Frank, Yasmini Chali, Ndombela Sikwatta, Jazila Daniel, and Rose Nyenza. This is the second time Tanzanian lady golfers have shined in Kenya. Another Arusha Gymkhana Club golfer, Madina Idd, emerged at the top in the Kenya Amateur Ladies Golf Open Stroke Play Championship in Nairobi.
Idd carded 78, 74, and 70 over 54 holes at the Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi to win by two strokes and clinch the title for the fifth time.
The Arusha Gymkhana Club member also won the championship in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Speaking with The Citizen, Olomi said the competition was very tough, and she thanked God for giving her the title. She said most of the golfers targeted silverware in the competition and had to rectify her strokes in the round to tie with the Ugandan.
"It was not an easy event in which most of the famous golfers in East Africa featured while targeting top honours. The first round was not good for me, as I was placed in the second position. However, I rectified myself in the second round to win on count back, you can see how the tournament was tough," said Olomi on the phone.
Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU) president Queen Siraki showered praise on Olomi and other golfers who competed in the tournament.
"I’m happy with Olomi for winning the title and others for competing at their best. We are proud of them," said Siraki. The event saw Noni Wanyee win the nett title with 139, made up of 69 and 70. She beat Benta Khanili on countback. Lucy Maina, on 140, was third.
In Division B, Kakamega’s Beatrice Shikuku shot 182 to win by five shots from Irene Kamutu, who had carded 187, just a shot better than third-placed Joyce Wafula.
Taking home the nett title in Division B was Hellen Wanjiru on an impressive 131, winning ahead of Penina Kamau on 137 and third-placed Grace Kwamboka with 141.
This year, the Leslander Division A team title went to the Nandi’s Irene Brooker and Lydia Jebichii on 285, and the Division B winners were Munyao Virginia and Irene Kimeu on 293. A total of 126 ladies competed in the tournament.
