IT was a flamboyant start for brave Tanzanian Ladies as they started strongly to share lead with Kenya at the end of of the first round of the All Africa Challenge Trophy at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club on Tuesday.
The three-day 54 hole competition has drawn on course 21 African countries in epic race for Africa’s golf throne. Tanzania had a stellar performance right from the start, grossing 148 strokes to share the first day’s lead with Kenya who also returned the same score.
It was the team’s captain Hawa Wanyeche who sparkled with her threeunder par 69 gross that kept her team above other countries. Wanyeche led by example as she finished round one as the team’s best contributor. Her score also lead at the individuals’ board after to make it a perfect start for Tanzania in the both categories.
Madina Iddi, who the defending champion in the individual category was Tanzania’s second contributor after grossing 79 strokes, while non-count score came from Angel Eaton who grossed 80 strokes. Iddi and Angel could do better for the team as they struggled in tee shots.
The Tanzanian team captain Wanyeche thanked God for a wonderful start, though she admitted it was far from over. Wanyeche: “We first want to thank God, it is good start, but the end is still far. We have to tighten grips and do better in other rounds. “ The tournament is very tough as you can see only small margin separate the teams, but we will fight to the end, our ambition remains the same and that is to bring home the title for the first time.” Iddi and Eaton promised to stay calm and improve their today’s scores.
An official from the National Sports Council(NSC) Apansia Lema was there to support the team and hailed players while she encouraged them to continue fighting as the government is with them. Kenya tied with Tanzania thank to their best player Naomi Wafula’s 2-Under 70 gross and Chanelle Wangari, who grossed 78 strokes.
Wafula is also second in individual battle with a shot inferior to leader, Wanyeche. Defending champion South Africa had difficult start but they are not far into contention with a shot drift at second place with 149 strokes.
Bobbi Brown had 72 and Gabrielle Venter added 77 for the defending champion to aggregate as non-count score was 78 retuned by Bronwyn Leigh. Morocco Rich Intisar carded 76 and Abir Taibi’s 77 placed their nation at the fourth place with 15e aggregate score.
