Stage is set for Waitara Trophy golf tournament at Lugalo

Dar es Salaam. This year’s NBC Waitara Trophy golf tournament will take place on Saturday at the Lugalo Golf Course in Dar es Salaam.

The tournament will feature prominent golfers from across the country who will compete on the 18-hole course.

The tournament has received a significant boost from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC), who are the principal sponsors. 

Speaking at the event, NBC’s marketing manager, David Raymond, said that they have decided to sponsor the event to develop the game and reaffirm their commitment to collaborating with stakeholders in the sport, particularly in fostering new golfing talents.

Raymond noted that the bank’s sponsorship over the past four years has significantly contributed to the tournament’s goal of promoting and developing golf.

He added that the initiative also pays tribute to the tournament’s founder, retired General George Waitara, and has led to numerous achievements through the notable rise in new talents emerging from the competition annually.

“What excites us most about this tournament is not only the rise in local and international participants each year but also the remarkable involvement of juniors. Many of these young competitors have demonstrated exceptional skills, even astonishing seasoned players with their performances,"

This reassures us of the abundant talent that will represent this sport on an international level and enhance our country's standing through golf,” said Raymond.

Raymond also noted that the participation of diverse stakeholders from both local and international realms would help boost the tourism sector, cultivate business connections among participants, and offer local stakeholders the chance to learn and exchange various gameplay techniques with peers from other countries.

“As we continue to witness advancements in other sports we sponsor and organize, including the NBC Premier League, NBC Championship League, NBC Youth League, and the annual NBC Dodoma Marathon aimed at raising funds for cervical cancer awareness among women and training midwives, we are equally dedicated to supporting the game of golf,” said Raymond.

The Chairman of Lugalo Golf Club, retired Brigadier General Michael Luwongo, expressed his gratitude to NBC for its ongoing support, stating that preparations for the single-day tournament are progressing smoothly. 

He anticipates participation from clubs nationwide across all tournament categories, including competitions for women and children.

“The response has been overwhelmingly positive; participants are confirming their involvement from all clubs due to their strong faith in the tournament, which is credited to the high standards resulting from our meticulous preparations in collaboration with NBC. The weather is also favorable, and the course conditions are excellent due to recent rains that have revitalized the greens,” he remarked.

For his part, Lugalo Golf Club captain Japhet Masai thanked the sponsors for their continuous support in organizing the tournament each year. 

Masai encouraged participation from all clubs, including women and juniors, urging them to register in large numbers to foster competition in the tournament, which will feature an array of prizes for the winners.