Dar golfer seals NCBA Gold title

TANZANIA : TANZANIA’s finest golfer Victor Joseph proves that still has fuel in his tank after stunningly winning the first NCBA Golf Series scratch golf competition champion title by five strokes.

Sponsored by NCBA Bank, the event brought together over 40 lower handicap and professional golfers from across the country to battle out for the 3m/- cash prize.

The 18-hole competition was held at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (DGC) on Friday before over 140 amateurs battled for Kenya’s grand finale slots teed off a day later for the NCBA Series Dar competition.

Joseph, who has been struggling in recent events, was in good form this time around, he carded an impressive three-under 69 to beat both amateurs and pros, a feat that earned him a 700,000/- cash prize.

This is the first scratch competition to be organised in the country since the golf governing body the Royal Golf Ancient Club (R&A) of Scotland amended the competition rules that among others, allow scratch golfers to compete for a cash prize but for a limited amount.

Joyful Joseph said after victory: “It was not that easy as strong wind weather at the DGC course makes it difficult for everyone. But am glad I made it at a historical event, thanks to organisers and sponsors NCBA Bank.”

Joseph’s closest challenger was TPC Moshi club of Kilimanjaro Regional amateur George Sembi who carded two-over 74 as the third place prize went to Michael Masawe from Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) Lugalo course of Dar es Salaam with 76 gross.

Prosper Emmanuel and Juma Likuli carded 77 and 78 strokes to finish fourth and fifth respectively while Isiaka Daudi, Ally Isanzu and Jiten Lavingia, each carded 79 to finish sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.

In the pros category host Hassan Kadio who was a four-shot behind Joseph, carded 73 to emerge the winner cash on 1m/- first prize.

Kadio beat his closest challenger Fadhil Nkya by a shot with 74 in second place awarded 700,000/- as Abdallah Yusuf from Lugalo and Salum Diluga of DGC duo tied with 75 shots each at third and fourth places and Nuru Mollel of Arusha Gymkhana Club (AGC) carded 76 gross to finish at fifth.

According to Iman Alfayo, one of the event’s organisers, the prize money is worth 3m/- each awarded to scratch and pros category winners.