Rotary Bahari Charity Golf swings into action with record turnout and lasting impact

Dar es Salaam. The Rotary Club of Bahari – Dar es Salaam’s 15th Annual Charity Golf Tournament began with a bang on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the historic Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club, drawing a record-breaking turnout of golfers and reaffirming its reputation as one of the country’s premier sporting and philanthropic events.

Participation rose sharply this year, with the number of golfers climbing from 80 last year to more than 90. The thrilling action teed off at 7:10pm, under clear skies, setting the tone for a full day of competitive golf and community-driven purpose.

Among the first to take to the course were prominent figures including Maryanne Mugo, Ecobank Tanzania Managing Director Charles Asiedu, and Satyam Gupta, Deputy Managing Director of Kamal Group.

Adding a family flair were the golfing triplets — Rodjey, Kiye, and Mikoh — who competed alongside their mother, Yasmin Chali, to the delight of spectators. Other notable participants included Bakari Machumu, Fred Laizer, and several seasoned players from across the region.

After completing his 18-hole Stableford round, Asiedu praised the organisers for putting together a competition that extends far beyond sport.

“We are proud partners of this event. For us, it is not only about playing golf but also about giving back. Supporting this initiative is part of our corporate social responsibility, and we are delighted to contribute to the communities we serve,” said Asiedu.

Gupta, too, underscored the tournament’s larger mission.

“Apart from playing and enjoying the day, this event is about unity and impact. We come together to contribute to education, the environment, health, and many other sectors. It is a very special tournament with great purposes,” he noted.

Golf for good: Turning drives into impact

Club president Sameer Santosh reminded participants that the event’s true essence lies in its cause.

“We golf not just for sport, but to give hope. Every shilling raised here becomes an ambulance that saves lives, a scholarship that opens doors, or a project that transforms communities for generations,” Santosh said.

The Bahari Rotary Charity Golf Tournament has, over the past 15 years, become a cornerstone of Tanzania’s sporting calendar, blending competition with philanthropy.

According to Club Public Relations Director Bakari Machumu, past editions have already left a lasting mark.

Last year’s proceeds funded STEM bootcamps that reached over 800 students in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, a cervical cancer awareness project mobilising 40 volunteers, and Rotary Family Health Day, which delivered more than 10,000 health services to over 1,000 community members.

Environmental impact was also felt, with 1,360 trees planted at the University of Dar es Salaam, while a Sh5 million Rotary Water Scholarship supported a Master’s degree in Water and Sanitation.

2025 projects

This year’s tournament aims to drive forward equally impactful projects. Among them is the introduction of motorbike ambulances in partnership with TVS, expected to serve more than 5,000 mothers and newborns each year.

Other initiatives include training primary school teachers through Rotaractor-led STEM programs, expanding tree-planting campaigns in schools and communities, and installing an incinerator at Tuangoma Primary School to improve sanitation for over 3,000 students, including 35 children with disabilities.

Big prizes, bigger purpose

The event also offered attractive incentives for players. The grand prize is a golf getaway to Dubai, featuring three return tickets, accommodation, and two rounds of golf.

In addition, a brand-new Toyota car, courtesy of Minet Tanzania, awaits any golfer skilled enough to hit a hole-in-one. Numerous category prizes and surprise giveaways are also lined up to keep both players and spectators engaged.

Former club president Fred Laizer noted that the success of the tournament is built on the generosity of its sponsors.

“Year after year, our partners step forward to ensure this event continues to make a real-world difference. Their support transforms fundraising into concrete impact for thousands of Tanzanians,” he said.

Spirit of community

As the tournament unfolded, the blend of camaraderie, competition, and compassion was unmistakable. With each swing of the club, participants not only chased victory but also contributed to a greater cause — proof that sport can indeed drive social transformation.

With a record turnout, ambitious goals, and unmatched enthusiasm, the Rotary Bahari Charity Golf Tournament once again reaffirmed its role as more than just a competition.

It is a celebration of sport, service, and the shared belief that communities thrive when people come together for a common purpose.