Vodacom Golf Tour tourney gains world ranking body’s recognition
Information, Communication and Information Technology Minister Nape Nnauye plays a shot at the Vodacom Golf Tour event held recently at the Lugalo Golf Club course in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- The event, held at the Lugalo Golf Club course from July 5 to 7, this year, featured top and elite golfers
Dar es Salaam. With just one event played, the Vodacom Golf Tour has earned recognition from the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). This was revealed by Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) chairman Gilman Kasiga in an interview with The Citizen yesterday.
The event, held at the Lugalo Golf Club course from July 5 to 7, this year, featured top and elite golfers. Among them were Information, Communication and Information Technology Minister Nape Nnauye, and Arts, Culture, and Sports Minister Damas Ndumbaro.
Lugalo golfer Prosper Emmanuel emerged at the top, earning points in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). Emmanuel secured victory with a composed three-over-par final round of 75, finishing at 9-over overall. In the nett category, Alfred Tarimo, also of Lugalo, claimed the overall title with a total of 128 over two rounds, showcasing the hosts’ dominance in the tournament.
In Division A, Jumanne Mbunda took the nett first prize with 142, followed by Claudy Mtavangu at 145. Division B saw Muzai Mkumba as the winner with 145 nett, while Marcel Lubuva claimed first place with 142 nett. Division C honours went to Godlisten Thobiko with 141 nett, and Gerald Ndowera secured second place with 150 nett.
Edmund Mndolwa won the senior category with 145 nett, with Ambassador Job Masima finishing second with 180 nett. In the ladies’ division, Habiba Likuli triumphed with 147 nett on countback over Teresia Mombe, both from Lugalo. TPC’s Moshi Golf Club’s G. Wilbroad impressed with a 64 nett to win the junior category, becoming the only non-Lugalo player to top a division. Hosts Ibrahim Juma and Sabrina Juma secured second and third places with 68 and 83 netts respectively.
Neema Olomi from Arusha Gymkhana Club claimed the ladies’ longest drive award, while Isiaka Daudi won the men’s prize, and Abubakar Yasin triumphed in the nearest to the pin contest among juniors.
Kasiga stated that the inclusion of Tanzanian golfers in the WAGR will provide them with the opportunity to earn PGA/DP World Tour cards and play in international tournaments.
“TGU is grateful for and impressed with the partnership with Vodacom in the development of golf in Tanzania. The partnership started with the Tanzania Open 2023, held last November at Kiligolf in Arusha. This is a milestone for Tanzanian golfers to be recognized internationally,” said Kasiga.
