Eight countries to feature  in NCBA Tanzania Open golf event

Dar es Salaam. Golfers from eight countries are expected to compete in the NCBA Bank Tanzania Open tournament scheduled to tee off on November 23 at the renowned Kilimanjaro Golf and Wildlife Estate Course, commonly known as the Kili Golf Course in Arusha.

Organized by the Tanzania Golf Union (TGU), the prestigious event, which is expected to end on November 26, will see a total of 200 professional and amateur golfers competing in various categories as disclosed by TGU Chairman Gilman Kasiga.

The competing countries, according to Kasiga, include Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, Cameroon, Nigeria, and the hosts Tanzania.

He noted that the TGU is in partnership with the NCBA Bank, Vodacom Tanzania, and Serengeti Breweries' Johnnie Walker.

Kasiga expressed that Vodacom Tanzania will bring a special experience to this major annual event including providing free Internet access at the Kili Golf course during the event and enabling the Competition Committee to post results instantly as they happen on the course.

“Vodacom Tanzania is aiming to make a significant impact by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure at the Kilimanjaro Golf Estate, the chosen venue for the eagerly-awaited tournament.

“This infrastructure will not only enhance the game itself but also ensure that players are seamlessly connected during the competition.

Also, Vodacom Tanzania has promising plans in future to comprehensively support the entire ecosystem of golfers, addressing their varied communication and technological needs, both on and off the golf course,” he said.

He explained that already Kenya’s top professional golfer Greg Snow has confirmed that he will compete in the tournament including other notable ones such as Tanzanian professional golfer Fadhil Nkya.

The TGU chairman clarified that the purse money for professional golfers is Sh25 million, expressing enthusiasm about the upcoming and thrilling tournament in which many golfers will be vying for top honours.

Further, he expressed that, aside from professional golfers, the main event will feature amateurs with a playing handicap of 9 or below.

Amateurs possessing a valid handicap between 10 and 18 are eligible to feature in subsidiary events on a first-come, first-served basis.

Kasiga noted that the handicap limit for the subsidiary events may be subject to change at the discretion of the tournament director, depending on the number of registrations.

With the NCBA Bank at the forefront as the tournament partners, the event promises to be a premier golfing spectacle, showcasing talent from across the region and fostering camaraderie among golf enthusiasts.

In anticipation of a memorable event, Kasiga said he looks forward to witnessing exceptional golfing prowess and spirited competition on the greens. 

He said the tournament is poised to contribute to the promotion of golf in the entire region while providing a platform for golfers to showcase their skills on the international stage.