25 professional golfers for Morogoro’s Lina Pro-Am Tour event
The late Lina Nkya, a trailblazer of Tanzania women’s golf, in a moment of joy at Orange Lake Golf Resort, Florida. Her dedication to the sport continues to inspire, as her legacy lives on through the Lina PG Tour. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- 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.
Dar es Salaam. At least 25 professional golfers are expected to compete in the second competition of the Lina Professional Golf Tour and Elite Amateurs dubbed Lina Pro-Am to tee off at Morogoro Gymkhana Club golf course on April 11 to 14.
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.
The golfer will compete for silverware in the 72- hole stroke play tournament together with elite amateur golfers, according to Yasmin Chali, who is also secretary general of the Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU).
Yasmin said the event is the first Pro-Am golf tournament tour in the country, whereby golfers will be awarded lucrative cash prizes. Elite amateur golfers will be 12.
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.
She also said there will be other 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.
She said male amateur golfers will be categorized into divisions A and B while lady golfers will be split into two groups namely bronze and silver.
The first event, held from February 29 to March 3, saw Arusha Gymkhana golfer Nuru Mollel emerging the winner. It was no easy feat for Mollel to secure the victory, given the close competition from another prominent professional golfer in the country, Fadhil Nkya of the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club.
Both golfers recorded 281 strokes each in the exciting event.
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 at sharpening skills and attaining the highest standard for both professional and amateur golfers in the country.
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.
